A portable ultrasound scanner and a small transducer with a straight. untapered head were used to observe intracranial lesion at the burr-hole surgery. After opening a standard burr-hole, the transducer was inserted to the burr-hole and intracranial lesion was examined. Common indications for this technique included guidance for placement of catheters and ventriculoperitoneal shunts, localization of masses, guidance for aspiration of cysts and other fluid collections, and confirmations of removal tumors. Intraoperative ultrasonography provided immediate ongoing information about the anatomy and pathological lesion. Distance and trajectory to the best location for the catheter were determined and the catheter was inserted with ultrasound monitoring. No procedure related complication was noted and pitfall was minimal. Furthermore, result of postoperative CT scan was consistent with findings of intraoperative ultrasonography. In conclusion, ultrasonography using burr-hole transducer has proved useful in a variety of procedures during burr-hole operation.
