title: Crossed Pontine Hemiatrophy Associated with Unilateral Cerebellar Hemorrhage in Premature Infants.
abstract: BackgroundCerebellar hemorrhage is a complication of extreme prematurity with a significant impact on the neurodevelopmental outcome. It has been shown that cerebellar hemorrhage is associated with a reduction in the anteroposterior diameter of the pons on the midline sagittal plane at term-equivalent age, suggesting that cerebellar injury may impair overall pons development in premature infants.ObjectiveThis study stemmed from an incidental observation of crossed pontine hemiatrophy in a preterm infant with a history of unilateral massive cerebellar bleeding. We aimed to verify the presence of this association in a population of preterm infants.MethodsAmong all, very preterm infants (GA < 32 weeks) born at our institution over a 6-year period, those with a diagnosis of unilateral massive cerebellar hemorrhage were selected. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the selected subjects were reviewed.ResultsSix patients with unilateral massive cerebellar hemorrhage were identified. MRI showed crossed hemiatrophy of the pons in all cases.ConclusionCrossed hemiatrophy of the pons was associated with massive unilateral cerebellar hemorrhage. This finding may reflect retrograde degeneration of pontocerebellar fibers and loss of neurons in contralateral hemipons.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ramenghi
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malova
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tortora
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariasavina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Severino
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morana
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D001284:Atrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011149:Pons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies