Role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in detection of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Sayed, Alaa A.; Omar, Nagham N. M.; Refaat, Nafisa H.; Mahmoud, Mohammed K.

doi:10.4103/JCMRP.JCMRP_62_19

Role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in detection of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Authors

Abstract

Background
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a critical pediatric disease with challenges in diagnosis. Many diagnostic tools have been used to diagnose this condition. Among all these tools, MRI with the advanced sequence; diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) plays a more vital role in early detection of this condition. In this research we emphasized the role of DW-MRI in the diagnosis of HIE.
Aim of work
The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of DW-MRI in detection and grading of HIE.
Patients and methods
This is a prospective study performed for 1 year (from January 2017 to January 2018). The studied group included 20 full-term neonates admitted to NICU of Assiut University Hospital with provisional diagnosis of HIE. All patients underwent brain imaging by conventional and DW-MRI.
Results
There was a moderate significant agreement between conventional MRI and DWI ( = 0.023) regarding both diagnosis and grading of HIE.
Conclusion
MR-DWI is the preferred modality of imaging in diagnosis and grading of hypoxic-ischemic injury due to its high sensitivity and easy interpretation with no need for contrast administration.

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