Xiangyu Zhu MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

To evalute the altered pattern of FA and ADC change in serially studied neonates with mild, moderate or severe hypoxic ischemic injury (HIE)

The study included 50 normal babies as age/sex-matched control and 30 babies (32 term neonates) who were diagnosed with mild (n = 15), moderate (n =6 ) and severe( n=9) HIE within 7 days after birth and again at the age of three month with conventional and serial diffusion tensor cerebral MR imaging. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at the time of the 2nd study.

On comparing FA and ADC changes over time using two-way analysis of variance between neonates with HIE and controls, we observed significant differences in age-related FA increase (p < 0.05) in anterior limb of internal capsule and periventricular white matter of parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. Significant differences in age-related ADC decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in the caudate nuclei, and temporal white matter among these groups. Significant positive correlation was observed between neurodevelopmental outcome and FA. There was significant difference between conventional MR imaging and DTI in detecting sequelae at the end of three month.

The results suggest that abnormal FA and ADC values help in early and more accurate assessment of microstructural damage in HIE that may have predictive value for long-term neurofunctional outcome in these neonates. DTI is superior to other imaging modalities in detecting sequelae.

Diffusion tensor imaging may have predictive value for long-term neurofunctional outcome in these neonates, which was a useful tool for predicting the individual outcomes of neonates with HIE

Zhu, X, Brain Parenchyma Damage in Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Injury Using Quantitative Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11003485.html