Neuropediatrics 2006; 37 - THP156
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-945979

DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH MILD ANKLE SPASTICITY: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

DS Kim 1, MH Han 1, WJ Moon 2
  • 1Department of Pediatrics
  • 2Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Repulic of Korea

Objectives: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technique has been used to identify the microstructural abnormalities and white matter injury in the central nervous system. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between DTI and neurological finding in preterm infants with mild ankle spasticity.

Methods: We studied 8 preterm infants (birth weight: 635–2,400 gm, gestational age: 25+0–36+0 weeks), who had shown ankle spasticity and/or mild developmental disabilities. DTI was performed to infants at a median corrected age of 9.2 months. The imaging was obtained with a 1.5-T MR scanner and with a b value of 600s/mm2 in the 15 directions. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements were evaluated from the following regions of interest: anterior and posterior limb of internal capsule, the upper and lower centrum semiovale. Asymmetry of motor function was determined by muscle tone and/or ankle spasticity. Denver Developmental Screening Test was performed to screen any neurodevelopmental abnormalities.

Results: The median value of), respectively. The findings of conventional MRI were as follows: periventricular leukomalacia in four infants, a signal change around periventricular white matter in two infants, thinning of the corpus callosum in two and ventriculomegaly in one infant. DTI showed these findings: in five infants with relatively increasing right ankle spasticity, the left FA values were most frequently lower than the right, and the left ADC values were most frequently higher than the right. In three infants with relatively increasing left ankle spasticity, right FA values were most frequently lower than left and right ADC values were most frequently higher than left.

Conclusion: The asymmetric values of FA and ADC in the corticospinal tract were associated with clinical asymmetry of ankle spasticity. Therefore, DTI may be a valuable tool for confirming white matter injury in preterm infants with minor neurological abnormalities.