Neuroimaging of full term newborn´s brain with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Abstract

Introduction. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in full term newborn is the most frequent courses of neonatal mortality and development of neurology handicap. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is common noninvasive method for detect of post hypoxic brain lesions in newborn. Method of research. We assessed MR-pattern of hypoxic brain injury using Philips Ingenia 1.5 Tl for examination newborn on 14-16 days after delivery. Protocol of MRI scans included axial and coronal plan T1, T2, Flair weighted imaging (WI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with program Fiber tracking and detected fractional anisotropy (FA). FA was measuring within cortico-spinal tract besides. 3D reconstruction allowed to visualized white matter along the axon direction of cortico-spinal tract. Studies. Four full term newborn (after 37 weeks gestation) have been examined and separated in two groups. First group included newborns with HIE (evidence of fetal distress, low Apgar Scores, low umbilical cord pH ˂ 7.1, necessity for resuscitation and neurological signs, second group consisted term newborn without any medical and problems of health. Results of research. We detected MR-patterns of basal ganglia and thalamus lesions in newborn with HIE (abnormal high signal intensity on T1 and Flair WI). We didn’t detect any abnormal MR scans in healthy newborns (control group). FA within cortico-spinal tracts besides (total and ROI-1) were lower in newborns with HI then in healthy ones. Conclusion. This investigation showed common MR patterns of brain lesions in full term newborns with HIE which included changes of signal intensity T1 and Flair from basal ganglia and thalamus as well as reduction of FA within cortico-spinal tract.