Spectrum of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns in hospitalised hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy babies in a tertiary care hospital of Odisha

Abstract

Background: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) refers to the CNS dysfunction associated with Perinatal Asphyxia (PA) which is an important causes of permanent damage to CNS tissue. MRI imaging methods attributes to better understanding of pathological events and disease progression that may provide decision regarding intervention. MRI has a higher sensitivity and is extremely valuable in assessing the extent of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage during the early postnatal period and later infancy. It is also more specific which clearly differentiates fluid filled cavities, oedema, gliosis and hemorrhage. On this background this study was undertaken to evaluate the MRI changes of all grades of HIE patients. They were also followed up at different time intervals for upto 1 year to correlate the MRI changes and neurodevelopmental outcome. Objectives: To find out different MRI findings in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy babies. Assesment of severity of HIE from MR imaging and correlate these findings with clinical & neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods: All hemodynamically stable HIE babies irrespective of their severity were subjected to MRI between day 7 and day 21 of life and their findings were interpreted.