RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 T2 Relaxation Values in the Developing Preterm Brain
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 1654
OP 1660
VO 24
IS 8
A1 Serena J. Counsell
A1 Nigel L. Kennea
A1 Amy H. Herlihy
A1 Joanna M. Allsop
A1 Michael C. Harrison
A1 Frances M. Cowan
A1 Joseph V. Hajnal
A1 Bridget Edwards
A1 A. David Edwards
A1 Mary A. Rutherford
YR 2003
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/24/8/1654.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging is increasingly used to assess maturation and disease in the preterm brain. Knowledge of the changes in T2 values with increasing postmenstrual age (PMA) will aid image interpretation and help in the objective assessment of maturation and disease of the brain in infants. The aim of this study was to obtain T2 values in the preterm brain from 25 weeks’ gestational age (GA) until term-equivalent age in infants who had normal neurodevelopmental findings at a minimum corrected age of 1 year.METHODS: The study group consisted of 18 preterm infants, born at 33 weeks’ GA or sooner. The median GA of the infants at birth was 27 weeks (range, 23–33 weeks), and the median PMA at imaging was 31 weeks (range, 25–41 weeks). T2 measurements were obtained using a 1.0-T MR system and a four-echo pulse sequence (TR/TE, 2500/ 30, 60, 110, and 600). T2 values were measured in the thalami, lentiform nuclei, frontal white matter, occipital white matter, and central white matter at the level of the centrum semiovale.RESULTS: A significant negative linear correlation between T2 values and PMA was demonstrated in the lentiform nuclei (P = .003), frontal white matter (P < .0001), occipital white matter (P < .0001), and central white matter at the level of the centrum semiovale (P < .0001). T2 values were not significantly reduced with increasing PMA in the thalami (P = .06).CONCLUSION: T2 values decrease with increasing PMA in the preterm brain.