Evaluation of the effect of intraventricular haemorrhage on cerebral perfusion in preterm neonates using three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling.
Pediatr Radiol 2024;
54:776-786. [PMID:
38321237 DOI:
10.1007/s00247-024-05865-0]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) often arises as a cerebral complication directly related to preterm birth. The impaired autoregulation of cerebral blood flow is closely associated with IVH in preterm neonates. Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling (3D-pCASL) is a noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique used for evaluating cerebral perfusion.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to compare cerebral blood flow values among three distinct groups using 3D-pCASL: preterm neonates with and without IVH and preterm neonates at term-equivalent age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 101 preterm neonates who underwent conventional MRI and 3D-pCASL were included in this study. These neonates were categorised into three groups: 12 preterm neonates with IVH, 52 preterm neonates without IVH, and 37 healthy neonates at term-equivalent age. Cerebral blood flow measurements were obtained from six brain regions of interest (ROIs)-the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, basal ganglia, and thalamus-in the right and left hemispheres.
RESULTS
The cerebral blood flow values measured in all ROIs of preterm neonates with IVH were significantly lower than those of neonates at term-equivalent age (all P<0.05). Additionally, the cerebral blood flow in the temporal lobe was lower in preterm neonates without IVH than in neonates at term-equivalent age (16.87±5.01 vs. 19.76±5.47 ml/100 g/min, P=0.012). Furthermore, a noteworthy positive correlation was observed between post-menstrual age and cerebral blood flow in the temporal lobe (P=0.037), basal ganglia (P=0.010), and thalamus (P=0.010).
CONCLUSION
The quantitative cerebral blood flow values, as measured by 3D-pCASL, highlighted that preterm neonates with IVH had decreased cerebral perfusion. This finding underscores the potential of 3D-pCASL as a technique for evaluating the developmental aspects of the brain in preterm neonates.
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