Abstract
In the brains of newborns, changes in signal intensity in most structures can be explained by the development of myelination. However, there are some structures for which signal intensity changes cannot be accounted for by myelination alone. We examined the STN and globus pallidus signal intensities and tried to determine whether a relationship exists between the signal intensity and the postnatal age or the gestational age at the examination. We examined T1WI and T2WI obtained from 79 neonates who showed normal development at their 2-year follow-up examinations. We performed both qualitative and quantitative (signal intensity ratio to the thalamus) evaluation of the STN and globus pallidus signals, and we examined the correlation between signal intensity changes and the age of neonates. With increasing postnatal age at examination, the high signal intensity on the T1WI for both STN and globus pallidus diminished. Although the disappearance of this hyperintensity was well correlated with the postnatal age at examination for both the qualitative and quantitative studies, there was no correlation with gestational age at examination. For the T2WI, there was no correlation with either the postnatal age or the gestational age at examination. Signal intensity on T1WI in the STN and globus pallidus is not related to the gestational age at examination; instead, signal intensities on T1WI seem to be more dependent upon the postnatal age at examination.
Highlights
AND PURPOSE: In the brains of newborns, changes in signal intensity in most structures can be explained by the development of myelination
With increasing postnatal age at examination, the high signal intensity on the T1WI for both STN and globus pallidus diminished. The disappearance of this hyperintensity was well correlated with the postnatal age at examination for both the qualitative and quantitative studies, there was no correlation with gestational age at examination
Signal intensity on T1WI in the STN and globus pallidus is not related to the gestational age at examination; instead, signal intensities on T1WI seem to be more dependent upon the postnatal age at examination
Summary
We examined T1WI and T2WI obtained from 79 neonates who showed normal development at their 2-year follow-up examinations. We performed both qualitative and quantitative (signal intensity ratio to the thalamus) evaluation of the STN and globus pallidus signals, and we examined the correlation between signal intensity changes and the age of neonates. 1130 Taoka AJNR 32 ͉ Jun-Jul 2011 ͉ www.ajnr.org documented pathologic status within the central nervous system were excluded from analysis. These cases included congenital cytomegalovirus infection, hydrocephalus (n ϭ 2), intracranial hematoma, chromosomal abnormality (n ϭ 2), Langerhans cell histiocytosis, myotonic dystrophy, periventricular leukomalacia (n ϭ 2), hyperinsulinemia, epilepsy of unknown cause, and congenital ichthyosis.
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