G Yaniv1,2, C Hoffmann1, B Weisz3, S Lipitz3, E Katorza3, D Kidron4, D Bergman1, A Biegon5. 1. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. 2. Institute for Research in Military Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel and the Israeli Defence Force Medical Corps. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 4. Department of Pathology, Meir Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 5. Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the fetal brain in utero. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis we compared 58 fetal head magnetic resonance imaging (fhMRI) scans of PCR-verified CMV-infected fetuses, obtained in 2008-2012, with those of a normal control group of 36 gestational age (GA)-matched uninfected fetuses scanned between 2006 and 2012. Estimated GA at infection ranged from 1 to 32 weeks, and fhMRI was performed at 24 to 38 weeks. The frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes (mainly white matter), basal ganglia, thalamus, pons and cerebellum were analyzed by assessing ADC values. Two pregnancies were terminated and postmortem confirmation was available in these cases. RESULTS: ADC values of CMV-infected fetuses correlated significantly and negatively with GA in all brain regions except the basal ganglia. The cerebellum had the greatest reduction (r = -0.52, P < 0.0001). Maternal age correlated positively with ADC in the frontal lobe (P < 0.05). GA at infection and overt pathological changes did not affect ADC significantly. Compared with non-infected fetuses, ADC values of affected fetuses were significantly reduced in the frontal (P < 0.0001), parietal (P < 0.0001), occipital (P = 0.0005) and temporal (P = 0.001) lobes and thalamus (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: CMV infection of the fetal brain results in a highly significant, region-dependent reduction of ADC values in the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes and thalamus, probably reflecting hypercellularity and inclusion bodies in damaged areas. Further studies are needed to determine if reduction in ADC values may serve as a prognostic factor in CMV-infected fetuses.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the fetal brain in utero. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis we compared 58 fetal head magnetic resonance imaging (fhMRI) scans of PCR-verified CMV-infected fetuses, obtained in 2008-2012, with those of a normal control group of 36 gestational age (GA)-matched uninfected fetuses scanned between 2006 and 2012. Estimated GA at infection ranged from 1 to 32 weeks, and fhMRI was performed at 24 to 38 weeks. The frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes (mainly white matter), basal ganglia, thalamus, pons and cerebellum were analyzed by assessing ADC values. Two pregnancies were terminated and postmortem confirmation was available in these cases. RESULTS: ADC values of CMV-infected fetuses correlated significantly and negatively with GA in all brain regions except the basal ganglia. The cerebellum had the greatest reduction (r = -0.52, P < 0.0001). Maternal age correlated positively with ADC in the frontal lobe (P < 0.05). GA at infection and overt pathological changes did not affect ADC significantly. Compared with non-infected fetuses, ADC values of affected fetuses were significantly reduced in the frontal (P < 0.0001), parietal (P < 0.0001), occipital (P = 0.0005) and temporal (P = 0.001) lobes and thalamus (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: CMV infection of the fetal brain results in a highly significant, region-dependent reduction of ADC values in the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes and thalamus, probably reflecting hypercellularity and inclusion bodies in damaged areas. Further studies are needed to determine if reduction in ADC values may serve as a prognostic factor in CMV-infected fetuses.
Authors: Ali Gholipour; Judith A Estroff; Carol E Barnewolt; Richard L Robertson; P Ellen Grant; Borjan Gagoski; Simon K Warfield; Onur Afacan; Susan A Connolly; Jeffrey J Neil; Adam Wolfberg; Robert V Mulkern Journal: Concepts Magn Reson Part A Bridg Educ Res Date: 2014-11 Impact factor: 0.481
Authors: Nadja Schönberg; Christian Weisstanner; Roland Wiest; Harald M Bonél; Eike I Piechowiak; Jennifer L Cullmann; Luigi Raio; Manuela Pastore-Wapp; Nedelina Slavova Journal: J Neuroimaging Date: 2020-06-17 Impact factor: 2.486