Neonatal periventricular leukomalacia: real-time sonographic diagnosis with CT correlation

The utility of real-time sonography in the diagnosis of neonatal periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) has been described only recently. Six cases are reported of PVL diagnosed by serial real-time scanning. The sonographic findings were correlated with the computed tomographic findings and the clinical history. In five of six infants in whom scanning was performed, characteristic multiseptated periventricular cavitations developed 2-3 weeks after birth or later. A transition from normal to increased periventricular echogenicity was often observed before the development of the periventricular cavitations in nonhemorrhagic PVL. The parenchymal abnormality demonstrated by sonography correlated well with an abnormal neurologic outcome. It is suggested that serial real-time scanning be performed in neonates whose history suggests the possibility of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Nonspecific predictors of PVL include seizures, apnea, disturbed mental status, abnormal muscle tone, and leg weakness.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. C.K. Kuban, E. N. Allred, O. Dammann, M. Pagano, A. Leviton, J. Share, M. Abiri, D. Di Salvo, P. Doubilet, R. Kairam, et al. Topography of Cerebral White-Matter Disease of Prematurity Studied Prospectively in 1607 Very-Low-Birthweight Infants J Child Neurol, June 1, 2001; 16(6): 401 - 408. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Answer to "Diagnostic Challenge": Periventricular Leukomalacia Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, May 1, 1998; 14(3): 145 - 145. [PDF]