Deep medullary vein thrombosis in neonates: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

Deep medullary vein thrombosis (DMVT) is increasingly recognized on neonatal brain MRI, but its predisposing factors and clinical characteristics remain poorly defined. This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics and associated imaging features of DMVT in neonates.

STUDY

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective single-center study of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive-care unit who underwent brain MRI between 2015 and 2023.

RESULT: Over the study period, 23 infants had medullary vein abnormalities on brain MRI; of them, 10 (five preterm and five term) were identified as DMVT. Among preterm infants, four (80%) had intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). All term infants demonstrated extensive (bilateral) DMVT.

CONCLUSION

Medullary vein abnormalities are not uncommon on neonatal brain MRI. In preterm infants, they are often associated with IVH, whereas term infants typically exhibit bilateral extensive DMVT. Larger studies are needed to further explore the pathogenesis and long-term outcomes.