Neuroimaging and the timing of fetal and neonatal brain injury

Current and advanced structural and functional neuroimaging techniques are presented along with guidelines for utilization and principles of imaging diagnosis in fetal and neonatal central nervous system abnormalities. Pattern of injury, timing issues, and differential diagnosis are addressed with emphasis on neurovascular disease. Ultrasonography and computed tomography provide relatively rapid and important screening information regarding gross macrostructural abnormalities. However, current and advanced MRI techniques often provide more definitive macrostructural, microstructural, and functional imaging information.