Evolution of Unilateral Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke on Conventional and Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Knowledge of the sequence of signal-intensity (SI) changes on conventional and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) following perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) is limited, adding to the difficulty in timing the onset of PAIS. We hypothesized that SI changes seen on early sequential MR imaging following PAIS should follow a similar time course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time course of SI changes by using a simple classification that could be assessed visually from conventional imaging and DWI in term-born neonates with symptomatic unilateral PAIS.

A New Ultrasound Marker for Bedside Monitoring of Preterm Brain Growth

“…Although white matter injury is already visible on scans after a few days, brain atrophy is often only noticeable after weeks to months. 34 Our short follow-up time could explain why we did not find an association between expected clinical variables, such as sepsis and days on mechanical ventilation, and CCF or CC growth rate. Second, including all scans between 24 and 32 weeks' postmenstrual age may have influenced the reliability of the growth charts; that preterm infants lose weight after birth and start to grow days later is a common finding.…”

Neonatal stroke

“…This appearance then evolves into one with exaggerated contrast between cortex and white matter (figure 2B,C). Serial imaging studies confirm that in neonates with AIS, the onset of injury is around the time of delivery 40. Tissue breakdown is maximal around 6 weeks.…”

Changes in carotid blood flow after unilateral perinatal arterial ischemic stroke

“…On the basis of clinical and MRI findings, it is likely that PAIS occurs within a very limited time frame around the time of birth (25,26). In our cohort, the cause of the PAIS often remained unknown.…”