Emerson L. Gasparetto MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Luiz Celso Hygino Da Cruz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Claudio de Carvalho Rangel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marcus Pinto, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roberto Cortes Domingues MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Romeu Cortes Domingues MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the main fiber tracts of extremely preterm infants using diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI).

A cohort of 45 infants with gestational age of less than 30 weeks and median birth weight of 890g was studied. All the patients underwent MR imaging in a 1.5T scanner with standard protocol and, in addition, DTI. Two neuroradiologists, blinded to the clinical data, reviewed the conventional MR images. Based on the clinical data and conventional MR imaging findings, we selected the 10 more severe cases and 10 normal cases. The DTI of these 20 patients was evaluated and the FA of the following normal-appearing fiber tracts were measured with a ROI-based technique: corpus callosum (genu, body, splenium), corona radiata, internal capsule, frontal and parietal white matter. The statistical analysis compared the FA values of these fiber tracts between the 10 more severe and the 10 normal cases, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The fractional anisotropy was significantly higher in the more severe cases compared with the normal infants in the following regions: right internal capsule (0.434 vs. 0.392; p=0.019), left internal capsule (0.426 vs. 0.350; p=0.042) and left parietal white matter (0.207 vs. 0.149; p=0.0011). In the remaining studied regions, no significant differences were demonstrated.

The diffusion tensor MR imaging is a useful technique for assessing the white matter tracts of extremely preterm infants. In this study, the FA values were reduced in the corona radiata and parietal white matter of cases with severe MR imaging and clinical abnormalities. Further studies correlating diffusion tensor MR imaging findings and follow-up clinical data could be conduct to evaluated the role of this technique in predicting the long-term prognosis of extremely preterm infants.

Improving the evaluation of the brain of extremely preterm infants with diffusion tensor MR imaging.

Gasparetto, E, Da Cruz, L, Rangel, C, Pinto, M, Domingues, R, Domingues, R, Extremely Premature Infants Evaluated with Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging of the Brain.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6017783.html