Imaging perinatal brain injury in premature infants

Semin Perinatol. 2004 Dec;28(6):433-43. doi: 10.1053/j.semperi.2004.10.004.

Abstract

The primary methods currently in use for imaging the infant brain are cranial ultrasound (CUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This review outlines the relative strengths and weaknesses of these modalities in relation to the premature infant, with specific focus on the correlations between imaging findings and neurodevelopmental outcome. Since MRI is undergoing rapid development at this time, the newer MRI methods of brain volume measurement and diffusion tensor imaging are reviewed in more detail. Current guidelines regarding the application of these neuroimaging methods to the premature infant are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Brain Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / diagnosis
  • Leukomalacia, Periventricular / diagnosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*