Limitations of ultrasonography for diagnosing white matter damage in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing white matter abnormalities in preterm infants and to determine the specific indications for MRI.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
A neonatal intensive care unit in France.


METHODS
All preterm infants (</= 33 weeks gestation) without severe respiratory distress syndrome precluding MRI.


METHODS
US and MRI performed contemporaneously during the third postnatal week were analysed by an independent observer. The findings were compared with those of a term MRI scan, the results of which were taken as the final diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed to determine which early imaging study best predicted the term MRI findings.


RESULTS
The early US and MRI findings (79 infants) correlated closely for severe lesions (cystic periventricular leucomalacia and parenchymal infarction; kappa coefficient = 0.86) but not for moderate lesions (non-cystic leucomalacia and parenchymal punctate haemorrhages; kappa = 0.62). Overall, early MRI findings predicted late MRI findings in 98% of patients (95% confidence interval (CI) 89.5 to 99.9) compared with only 68% for early US (95% CI 52.1 to 79.2).


CONCLUSIONS
US is highly effective in detecting severe lesions of the white matter in preterm infants, but MRI seems to be necessary for the diagnosis of less severe damage. MRI performed at about the third week of life is highly predictive of the final diagnosis at term.
Debillon
T
T
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital, Nantes, France. thierry.debillon@chu-nantes.fr
N'Guyen
S
S
Muet
A
A
Quere
M P
MP
Moussaly
F
F
Roze
J C
JC
D000367:Age Factors; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004453:Echoencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity