Abnormal corpus callosum in neonates after hypoxic-ischemic injury.

BACKGROUND

Literature regarding callosal injury after hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII) is scant.

OBJECTIVE

To present the MRI and US findings of callosal injury after HII.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

MRI and US studies of 76 neonates were evaluated for HII and 53 were considered positive.

RESULTS

Of the 53 neonates with HII, 40 demonstrated restricted diffusion on DWI; of these, 30 revealed callosal involvement. Nine of the 13 neonates with normal DWI, whose routine MRI images were compatible with HII, were imaged after 1 week of age. Five out of ten neonates imaged during the 1st week of life who did not show callosal restriction on DWI had predominantly basal ganglia injury. Callosal US images were regarded as abnormal in 16 out of the 53 neonates with HII, 15 of which revealed concomitant restricted diffusion on DWI.

CONCLUSION

Callosal injuries are common after HII. DWI is effective in confirming these injuries and easily demonstrates injury if performed prior to 1 week of age. The restricted diffusion demonstrated after this time could be attributed to continued injury. US is not a sensitive modality for callosal injury detection; however, abnormally increased callosal echogenicity might be a specific marker of injury in this setting.