The evolution of ischemic cerebral infarction in infancy: a sonographic evaluation
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A Q Fischer1, J C Anderson, R M Shuman
1Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30192.
Insights
Cranial sonography offers a portable, noninvasive method for imaging infant brains. This study details sonographic findings in infantile cerebral infarction, confirmed by CT scans and neuropathology, showing distinct patterns over time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Cranial sonography is a noninvasive, portable imaging technique for infant brains.
- Infantile cerebral infarction diagnosis and monitoring require reliable methods.
- Understanding the evolution of infarcts is crucial for management.
Observation:
- Serial cranial sonograms were performed on 395 infants under 18 months.
- Three infants were diagnosed with acute ischemic cerebral infarcts.
- Confirmed diagnoses were supported by computed tomographic (CT) scans and/or autopsy.
Findings:
- Acute infarcts on sonography presented as a hyperechoic zone.
- Subacute infarcts exhibited a characteristic checkerboard pattern.
- Chronic infarcts appeared anechoic on sonographic imaging.
Implications:
- Sonography can effectively identify and track infantile cerebral infarcts over time.
- The described sonographic patterns aid in diagnosing infarcts at different stages.
- This imaging modality supports early detection and management of brain injury in infants.
Abstract:
Cranial sonography provides a noninvasive, portable method for imaging the infant brain. This study describes the time-dependent, sonographic findings of infantile cerebral infarction, as well as computed tomographic (CT) scan and neuropathologic confirmation. Three hundred ninety-five infants under 18 months of age were sonogrammed over a period of 18 months. Three infants were diagnosed by cranial sonography and confirmed by CT scan and/or autopsy to have acute ischemic cerebral infarcts. The cases were followed with serial cranial sonograms for up to 18 months of age. The acute sonographic findings included a hyperechoic zone around the infarcted tissue. The subacute infarct had a checkerboard pattern, while the chronic infarcts were anechoic.