Brain Perfusion Imaging in Neonates: An Overview

Abstract

SUMMARY:The development of cognitive function in children has been related to a regional metabolic increase and an increase in regional brain perfusion. Moreover, brain perfusion plays an important role in the pathogenesis of brain damage in high-risk neonates, both preterm and full-term asphyxiated infants. In this article, we will review and discuss several existing imaging techniques for assessing neonatal brain perfusion. ABBREVIATIONS:ASL ϭ arterial spin-labeling; HIE ϭ hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; NIRS ϭ near-infrared spectroscopy

Advanced Pediatric Neurosonography Techniques: Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography, Elastography, and Beyond

“…Assuming that the perfusion abnormalities can be reproducibly detected with the CEUS technique, they may not correlate exactly with either the diffusion‐weighted or perfusion sequences on MRI. Note that in neonates and infants, the resolution of perfusion‐weighted MRI sequences is oftentimes suboptimal for accurate interpretation . Given that CEUS may possibly be more sensitive than MRI in detecting perfusion changes, this may become a potential challenge in validating a rather new but promising technique.…”

“…Note that in neonates and infants, the resolution of perfusion-weighted MRI sequences is oftentimes suboptimal for accurate interpretation. 38 Given that CEUS may possibly be more sensitive than MRI in detecting perfusion changes, this may become a potential challenge in validating a rather new but promising technique. For instance, we present a case of partially ruptured arteriovenous malformation in the left inferior temporal lobe in which the follow up diffusion-weighted sequence was negative but CEUS scan showed asymmetric decreased perfusion to the left caudate as well as the bilateral thalami (Fig 3).…”

Multidelay Arterial Spin-Labeling MRI in Neonates and Infants: Cerebral Perfusion Changes during Brain Maturation

“…These include DWI, 1,2 DTI, 3 magnetization transfer imaging, 4 and arterial spin-labeling (ASL). 5 Among these methods, ASL is a noninvasive method that measures CBF. ASL uses endogenous blood water as a diffusible tracer 5 and is increasingly applied in neurologic studies.…”

“…5 Among these methods, ASL is a noninvasive method that measures CBF. ASL uses endogenous blood water as a diffusible tracer 5 and is increasingly applied in neurologic studies. By using a radiofrequency inversion pulse, arterial blood protons are magnetically labeled in the carotid artery level.…”

“…By using a radiofrequency inversion pulse, arterial blood protons are magnetically labeled in the carotid artery level. 5 ASL provides a quantitative measure of regional brain function and can show changes in baseline function associated with aging. 6 In neonates, ASL has been applied to see changes in perfusion during brain maturation 7 and to see the predictive value of these changes in patients who undergo hypothermia treatment after hypoxic-ischemic injury.…”