Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Incidental Findings on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Preterm Infants
Ashok Buchiboyina1, Chi Seong Andrew Yip2, Sirisha Madhala3
1Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australiadrashokkumarb@yahoo.co.in.
Insights
Routine brain MRI in extremely preterm infants at term-equivalent age revealed incidental findings in nearly 10%. While most were insignificant, some required intervention, highlighting the need for further research on management plans.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care units increasingly use routine brain MRI for extremely preterm infants at term-equivalent age.
- This practice leads to a higher detection rate of incidental findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of incidental findings on routine brain MRI in extremely preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of brain MRI scans from 165 extremely preterm infants (gestation < 28 weeks) at term-equivalent age.
- Data collected from June 2015 to December 2017.
Main Results:
- Incidental findings were identified in 9.7% (16/165) of infants.
- Nine findings were clinically significant, requiring diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.
- Seven findings were not clinically significant.
Conclusions:
- Incidental findings are common in routine brain MRIs of extremely preterm infants at term-equivalent age.
- While most findings are insignificant, some necessitate further interventions.
- Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to establish evidence-based management guidelines and parental counseling strategies.
Background:
In recent years, many neonatal intensive care units have adopted the practice of routinely performing brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of extremely preterm (EP) infants at term-equivalent age (TEA). This practice may result in increased identification of incidental findings (IF).
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of incidental findings on routine MRI of EP infants.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed findings on routine brain MRI on 165 EP infants at TEA (gestation < 28 weeks) admitted between June 2015 and December 2017.
Results:
Incidental findings were detected in 16/165 (9.7%) infants. This included 9 cases that were clinically significant: 7 (with upper spinal cord abnormalities in 3, a choroid plexus lesion in 1, a pituitary abnormality in 1, and cerebral aqueduct narrowing in 2) required diagnostic intervention, and 2 (1 with an extramedullary arachnoid cyst and 1 with endolymphatic sac dilatation with a hypoplastic cochlear nerve) required diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The incidental findings in the other 7 cases (a venous anomaly in 2, corpus callosum dysgenesis in 1, an absent septum pellucidum in 2, a frontal scalp mass in 1, and a nasal septum cyst in 1) were not clinically significant.
Conclusions:
Incidental findings were not uncommon on routine brain MRI of EP infants at TEA in our cohort. While most were clinically insignificant, some did require further diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Prospective large studies on the prevalence and clinical significance of incidental findings on routine brain MRI of EP infants at TEA are required for developing evidence-based management plans and for counselling parents.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:05Atomic Nuclei: Magnetic Resonance
01:07Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): Overview
NMR spectroscopy generates a spectrum where the characteristic absorption frequencies of the sample are...
02:52Resonance
01:14Brain Imaging
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic...