Abstract:

Objective   To explore the diagnostic value of arterial spin labeled (ASL) perfusion weighted imaging in full-term neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(HIE). Methods  The study was carried out in 42 full-term neonates (HIE group) who were clinically diagnosed as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(aged 1～15 days) . HIE group and 20 controls (control group) underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging scans (3.0T, Siemens Magnetom Verio,Germany)and ASL technology inspection. Relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values were measured in bilateral frontal white matter, thalamus, head of caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus, followed by the comparasion of values of different parts between the two groups. HIE group was further divided into three subgroups which were 1 to 3 days, 4 to 7 days and 8 to 15 day according to the birth age. The influence of birth age on rCBF values was analyzed. Results  rCBF values of thalamus and lentiform nucleus in HIE group increased significantly than those of control group (all P=0.01). rCBF values of frontal white matter in HIE group decreased than those of control group (P=0.02). There was no statistical difference in rCBF values of head of caudate nucleus between HIE group and control group (P=0.53). rCBF values of bilateral frontal white matter, thalamus, head of caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus in the subgroup of 1 to 3 days were higher than those of the other two subgroups(all P<0.05). Conclusion  It is helpful to make an early diagnosis of HIE by measuring rCBF values with ASL technology.

Key words: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, Arterial spin labeled, Newborn, Magnetic resonance imaging