J Korean Soc Neonatol.
1999 Nov;6(2):208-216.
Hypoxic - ischemic Encephalopathy in Term Infants: Correlation of Neurosonographic Findings in Basal Ganglia and Thalamus with Prognosis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Research Institute if Radiological Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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PURPOSE: To evaluate abnormal neurosonographic (NSG) findings of thalami and basal ganglia in full term babies with
hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and to correlate the findings with follow-up studies and prognosis.
METHODS
We evaluated 13 full term babies with abnormal NSG findings of thalarni and basal ganglia. NSG was performed
within 7 days after clinical abnormalities. Follow-up NSG was done in 11 cases; CT scan in 4 and MRI in 7. We classified
NSG findings as diffuse, unilateral, and focal types according to increased echogenicity and evaluated prognosis based
on follow-up studies and neurological sequelae.
RESULTS
Nine cases of diffuse type had diffuse echogenic changes of bilateral thalami and basal ganglia, slit-like lateral
ventricles suggesting cerebral edema, and increased parenchymal echogenicity. In diffuse type, follow-up studies showed
more prominent echogencities and ventricular dilatations and cerebromalacia. One case of unilateral type caused
by thromboembolism had unilateral echogenicity of right thalamus and basal ganglia with increased echogenicity of the
ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere and compression of the lateral ventricle, suggesting cerebral infarction. Follow-up study
showed unilateral cystic cerebromalacia. Three cases of focal type had a localized echogenic area in thalamus with
lacunar infarction, which decreased in size during follow-up. Among nine cases of diffuse type, one died within 2 days,
two were discharged against medical advice, and six had severe neurologic sequelae. One case of unilateral type had
a moderate degree of neurologic sequelae. All 3 cases of focal type had normal development.
CONCLUSION
Pattems of abnormal echogenicity in thalami and basal ganglia in fullterm infants with hypoxic-ischemic
encephalopathy are correlated with the outcome and may be helpful for treatment planning.