Testing ultrasound methods to measure brain pressure in children

When a child's brain swells, doctors need to measure the pressure inside the skull to prevent serious damage. This trial is testing whether two ultrasound-based methods—transcranial Doppler (which measures blood flow in brain vessels) and optic nerve sheath measurement (which looks at the nerve behind the eye)—can accurately measure brain pressure without needing invasive catheters. These ultrasound methods are safer because they avoid surgery and the risks of bleeding or infection.

Currently, the most reliable way to measure brain pressure requires surgeons to place catheters inside the brain, which carries risks of complications. Doctors need non-invasive alternatives that are faster, safer, and just as accurate—especially for children.