MRI predictors of long-term outcomes of neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: a primer for radiologists

Sheng-Che Hung; Yi-Fang Tu; Senyene E Hunter; Carolina Guimaraes

doi:10.1093/bjr/tqae048

MRI predictors of long-term outcomes of neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: a primer for radiologists

Br J Radiol. 2024 Feb 24:tqae048. doi: 10.1093/bjr/tqae048. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sheng-Che Hung¹, Yi-Fang Tu², Senyene E Hunter³, Carolina Guimaraes⁴

Affiliations

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Mailing address: 2000 Old Clinic, CB# 7510, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
² Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Mailing address: 138, Sheng-Li Road, North Dist. Tainan 70403, Taiwan.
³ Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Mailing address: 170 Manning Drive, CB# 7025, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7025.
⁴ Professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Mailing address: 2000 Old Clinic, CB# 7510, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

PMID: 38407350
DOI: 10.1093/bjr/tqae048

Abstract

This review aims to serve as a foundational resource for general radiologists, enhancing their understanding of the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in early prognostication for newborns diagnosed with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The article explores the application of MRI as a predictive instrument for determining long-term outcomes in newborns affected by HIE. With HIE constituting a leading cause of neonatal mortality and severe long-term neurodevelopmental impairments, early identification of prognostic indicators is crucial for timely intervention and optimal clinical management. We examine current literature and recent advancements to provide an in-depth overview of MRI predictors, encompassing brain injury patterns, injury scoring systems, spectroscopy, and diffusion imaging. The potential of these MRI biomarkers in predicting long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes and the probability of epilepsy is also discussed.