HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY - EARLY MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING FINDINGS AND THEIR EVOLUTION

Eighteen term infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) were studied with serial magnetic resonance imaging of the brain for up to two months following birth. Important early findings included brain s welling, cortical highlighting, diffuse loss of grey/white differentia tion and loss of signal in the posterior Limb of the internal capsule (PLIC). These signs were easier to identify on T-1-weighted spin echo or inversion recovery sequences than on T-2-weighted spin echo sequenc es. Brain swelling was only seen in the first seven days and was prese nt in all grades of HIE. All other signs persisted and were associated with the subsequent development of major structural changes in the br ain. The exact pattern of injury was best identified after the first w eek of Life once the signs of brain swelling had cleared.