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Clinical role of diffusion-weighted imaging: neonatal studies

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Abstract

The application of diffusion-weighted imaging to the early diagnosis of neonatal cerebral infarction and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is illustrated. Diffusion-weighted images showed early infarction before conventional imaging in both cases. These were subsequently seen with conventional imaging on follow-up. In four cases of grades I and II hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) no abnormality was seen with either diffusion-weighted or conventional imaging. In four other cases of grades II and III HIE, much more extensive changes were seen with diffusion-weighted imaging than with conventional imaging. Follow-up scans with conventional imaging confirmed the abnormalities in the two surviving infants. Diffusion-weighted imaging may be particularly useful for the early diagnosis of ischemic-anoxic injury in infants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robert Steiner Magnetic Resonance Unit, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, W12 OHS, London, UK

    J. M. Pennock, J. E. Schweiso, A. Oatridge & G. M. Bydder

  2. Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, W12 OHS, London, UK

    F. M. Cowan, M. A. Rutherford & L. M. S. Dubowitz

Authors
  1. J. M. Pennock
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  2. F. M. Cowan
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  3. J. E. Schweiso
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  4. A. Oatridge
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  5. M. A. Rutherford
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  6. L. M. S. Dubowitz
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  7. G. M. Bydder
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Pennock, J.M., Cowan, F.M., Schweiso, J.E. et al. Clinical role of diffusion-weighted imaging: neonatal studies. MAGMA 2, 273–278 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01705252

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