Patterns of cerebral injury in a series of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia utilizing magnetic resonance imaging.
BACKGROUND
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a condition with significant mortality and respiratory morbidity. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome is not yet well documented.


METHODS
The authors examined all cases of CDH at their institution over a 12-month period and performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain postoperatively.


RESULTS
Eight of 10 patients survived to have an MR brain scan. All 8 patients had cerebral injury detected on MRI, with a predominance of white matter and deep nuclear gray matter injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Cerebral injury detected with MRI is common in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The long-term significance of these MRI abnormalities is unknown, although the need for good long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up of infants with CDH is highlighted.
Hunt
Rod W
RW
Neonatal Neurology Department, Royal Children's and Women's Hospitals, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Kean
Michael J
MJ
Stewart
Michael J
MJ
Inder
Terrie E
TE
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012720:Severity of Illness Index