Magnetic resonance imaging of the newborn brain

Abstract 

Magnetic resonance (MR) is an ideal tool for imaging the neonatal brain, although adaptations may need to be made to both hardware and sequences. It is useful for assessing many diseases in the immature brain including hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy, infarction and infection, examples of which are given in this review. A thorough knowledge of the normal MR imaging (MRI) appearances at different gestations as well as the variation with different sequences is necessary for correct scan interpretation. The imaging appearance of lesions in the newborn brain depends on the timing and nature of the insult and the pulse sequence used. Techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging provide important early information in ischaemic lesions. Quantitative MRI techniques, such as three-dimensional volumetric MRI, can be used to provide objective assessment of brain development in both health and disease.

Keywords: chronic pelvic pain, conscious pain mapping, pelvic congestion, nerve entrapment, LUNA, trigger points, adhesions

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• f1 Correspondence to MAR. Tel.: +44 20 8383 3298; Fax: +44 20 8383 3038; E-mail: m.rutherford@ic.ac.uk