OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) offers new perspectives in cerebral imaging. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study aimed to determine whether 3D-US is appropriate to assess cortical development of the premature brain, and compare it to previously established reference values assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) of <32 weeks were examined by serial 3D-US scans. RESULT: Data of 30 patients with normal neurological development at the age of 5 years were included in the analysis. Cortical development was graded according to a five-point scoring system, and data were stratified into 6 age groups. Cortical developmental scores were established for various brain regions. In the frontal and frontoparietal regions, 3D-US reference values differed from published MRI reference values, but were consistent with the published data in all other regions. CONCLUSION: 3D-US reference values facilitate routine diagnostics and enable the evaluation of cortical development in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) offers new perspectives in cerebral imaging. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study aimed to determine whether 3D-US is appropriate to assess cortical development of the premature brain, and compare it to previously established reference values assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) of <32 weeks were examined by serial 3D-US scans. RESULT: Data of 30 patients with normal neurological development at the age of 5 years were included in the analysis. Cortical development was graded according to a five-point scoring system, and data were stratified into 6 age groups. Cortical developmental scores were established for various brain regions. In the frontal and frontoparietal regions, 3D-US reference values differed from published MRI reference values, but were consistent with the published data in all other regions. CONCLUSION: 3D-US reference values facilitate routine diagnostics and enable the evaluation of cortical development in preterm infants.
Authors: K Klebermass-Schrehof; S Aumüller; K Goeral; K Vergesslich-Rothschild; R Fuiko; S Brandstetter; A Berger; B Jilma; N Haiden Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2016-12-15 Impact factor: 2.521