Method for performing cerebral perfusion-weighted MRI in neonates.
Cerebral perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in neonates is known to be technically difficult and there are very few published studies on its use in preterm infants. In this paper, we describe one convenient method to perform PWI in neonates, a method only recently used in newborns. A device was used to manually inject gadolinium contrast material intravenously in an easy, quick and reproducible way. We studied 28 newborn infants, with various gestational ages and weights, including both normal infants and those suffering from different brain pathologies. A signal intensity-time curve was obtained for each infant, allowing us to build perfusion maps. This technique offered a fast and easy method to manually inject a bolus gadolinium contrast material, which is essential in performing PWI in neonates. Cerebral PWI is technically feasible and reproducible in neonates of various gestational age and with various pathologies.
Laswad
Tarek
T
Radiology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland. tarek_laswed@yahoo.com
Wintermark
Pia
P
Alamo
Leonor
L
Moessinger
Adrien
A
Meuli
Reto
R
Gudinchet
François
F
D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA