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Current Pediatric Reviews

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ISSN (Print): 1573-3963
ISSN (Online): 1875-6336

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Research Article

Intracranial Imaging of Preterm Infants with Suspected Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Comparing MRI and Ultrasound

Author(s): Simon S. Ho*, Yujia Zhou and Dhanashree Rajderkar

Volume 19, Issue 2, 2023

Published on: 17 June, 2022

Page: [179 - 186] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/1573396318666220417233146

Price: $65

Abstract

Aims: We correlate ultrasound, MRI, and clinical findings in neonates with suspected hypoxic ischemic injury.

Background: Recent advances in neuroimaging have led to improved detection of subtle insults associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes, beyond more historically described lesions such as large hemorrhages and hydrocephalus.

Objective: In this study, we compare cranial ultrasound to MRI for the evaluation of suspected HIE in preterm infants.

Methods: 147 premature infant patients with paired ultrasound and MRI exams were retrospectively analyzed to compare imaging finding accuracy and clinical value.

Result: We confirm that ultrasound is highly sensitive and specific for hydrocephalus, ventricular prominence, and gross structural abnormalities. Ultrasound is not a substitute for MRI in cases of small hemorrhages or white matter injury, however, certain US findings were associated with Apgar score and MRI sequelae of HIE.

Conclusion: Choosing between ultrasound and MRI for preterm neonates at risk for intracranial abnormalities based on their strengths can reduce cost and maximize clinical utility. MRI provides a highly sensitive identification of subtle brain injury, yet ultrasound is correlated with the peripartum clinical picture as measured by Apgar score.

Keywords: Hypoxic ischemic injury, neonatal low birth weight, MRI, ultrasound, germinal matrix hemorrhage, hydrocephalus.

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