Diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging of the evolution of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in the neonatal rabbit

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can result from neonatal asphyxia, th e pathophysiology of which is poorly understood. We studied the acute evolu tion of this disease. using magnetic resonance imaging in an established an imal model. ME was induced in neonatal rabbits by a combination of common c arotid artery (CCA) ligation and hypoxia, Serial diffusion and perfusion-we ighted magnetic resonance images were acquired before, during, and after th e hypoxic interval, Focal areas of decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were detected initially in the cortex ipsilateral to CCA ligation wi thin 62 +/- 48 min from the onset of hypoxia. Subsequently. these areas of decreased ADC spread to the subcortical white matter, basal ganglia (ipsila teral side), and then to the contralateral side, Corresponding perfusion-we ighted images showed relative cerebral blood volume deficits which closely matched those regions of ADC change. Our results show that MRI diffusion an d perfusion-weighted imaging can detect acute cell swelling post-hypoxia in this HIE model.