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Prognostic value of gradient echo T2* sequences for brain MR imaging in preterm infants

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Abstract

Background

Gradient echo T2*-W sequences are more sensitive than T2-W spin-echo sequences for detecting hemorrhages in the brain.

Objective

The aim of this study is to correlate presence of hemosiderin deposits in the brain of very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) detected by T2*-W gradient echo MRI to white matter injury and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years.

Materials and methods

In 101 preterm infants, presence and location of hemosiderin were assessed on T2*-W gradient echo MRI performed around term-equivalent age (range: 40–60 weeks). White matter injury was defined as the presence of >6 non-hemorrhagic punctate white matter lesions (PWML), cysts and/or ventricular dilatation. Six infants with post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation detected by US in the neonatal period were excluded. Infants were seen for follow-up at 2 years. Univariate and regression analysis assessed the relation between presence and location of hemosiderin, white matter injury and neurodevelopmental outcome.

Results

In 38/95 (40%) of the infants, hemosiderin was detected. Twenty percent (19/95) of the infants were lost to follow-up. There was a correlation between hemosiderin in the ventricular wall with >6 PWML (P < 0.001) and cysts (P < 0.001) at term-equivalent age, and with a lower psychomotor development index (PDI) (P=0.02) at 2 years. After correcting for known confounders (gestational age, gender, intrauterine growth retardation and white matter injury), the correlation with PDI was no longer significant.

Conclusion

The clinical importance of detecting small hemosiderin deposits is limited as there is no independent association with neurodevelopmental outcome.

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Author notes

  1. Gerda van Wezel-Meijler

    Present address: Department of Neonatology, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Francisca T. de Bruïne, Annette A. van den Berg-Huysmans, Mark A. van Buchem & Jeroen van der Grond

  2. Department of Pediatrics, subdivision of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Sylke J. Steggerda, Lara M. Leijser, Monique Rijken & Gerda van Wezel-Meijler

Authors
  1. Francisca T. de Bruïne
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  2. Sylke J. Steggerda
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  4. Lara M. Leijser
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  5. Monique Rijken
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  7. Gerda van Wezel-Meijler
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  8. Jeroen van der Grond
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francisca T. de Bruïne.

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de Bruïne, F.T., Steggerda, S.J., van den Berg-Huysmans, A.A. et al. Prognostic value of gradient echo T2* sequences for brain MR imaging in preterm infants. Pediatr Radiol 44, 305–312 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2803-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2803-1

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