Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Lesions in Newborns: Evolution of Views and Development Prospects

Aim: Based on the study of a large amount of available information, to create an idea of the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in hypoxic-ischemic brain lesions in newborns, to present the available research algorithms, classifications, the scope of the technique and its information content in the named pathology.

Key points. MRI has long been a common practice in a neuropediatric hospital. To date, examination by this method has absolute significance in the diagnosis of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain lesions. In addition, MRI data help to objectify the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and predict the further development of a child with perinatal brain damage. There are several classifications of MRI changes in hypoxic-ischemic brain lesions in newborns. These classifications have varying degrees of sensitivity to the initial hypoxic-ischemic changes in the child's brain, however, allow us to roughly represent the process of their formation in dynamics in the morphological aspect according to the scheme “periventricular white matter — subcortical ganglia and thalamus — subcortical structures of the hemispheres and cerebral cortex”. Thus, the target structures of hypoxic ischemic lesions allow us to identify its main patterns: lesions of neuronal structures, leukopathy, and their combination.

Conclusion. Studies of MRI phenomena as predictors of developmental pathology show that an increase in detail increases the accuracy of the prognosis. However, the available data do not currently allow us to form a spatial model for the development of hypoxic-ischemic changes in the brain of a newborn. It seems necessary to create such a model depending on the time and intensity of the impact of the ischemic process. This will allow developing a morphological and pathophysiological classification of perinatal encephalopathies.

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