Reliability of transcranial sonography for assessment of brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the reliability of transcranial sonography as an alternative to computed tomography for evaluation of brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients. EVIDENCE AQUISITION: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched. Original studies evaluating brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients using both transcranial sonography and computed tomography were eligible. Primary outcome measure was concordance between both methods as quantified in terms of concordance correlation coefficient. Secondary outcome measure was limits of agreement, defined as mean difference between sonography and computed tomography plus and minus 1.96 standard deviations. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Twelve studies (574 patients, 689 examinations) were eligible. Ten studies (416 patients, 492 examinations) provided adequate data for evaluation of concordance. Pooling of effect sizes showed strong concordance between both methods (concordance correlation coefficient, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.94). Two missing studies were imputed and effect size was adjusted to 0.88 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.93). Nine studies (442 patients, 571 examinations) provided adequate data for estimation of limits of agreement. Pooling of effect sizes showed a bias of -0.53 mm (95% limits of agreement, -1.22 to 0.16 mm). Four missing studies were imputed and bias was adjusted to -0.68 mm (95% limits of agreement, -1.31 to -0.04 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial sonography may serve as reliable alternative to computed tomography for evaluation of brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients. Both methods have strong concordance with acceptably narrow limits of agreement.

Automated summary

Transcranial sonography is a reliable alternative to computed tomography for evaluating brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients, showing strong concordance and narrow limits of agreement between the two methods.