Characterization of Microstructural Injury: A Novel Approach in Infant Abusive Head Trauma — Initial Experience

dc.contributor.authorImagawa, K. K., Hamilton, A., Ceschin, R., Tokar, E., Pham, P., Bluml, S., ... & Panigrahy, A.
dc.date.accessioned2016-09-20T19:33:32Z
dc.date.available2016-09-20T19:33:32Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractAbusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among abused children, yet the neuroanatomical underpinnings of AHT outcome is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to characterize white matter (WM) abnormalities in infants with AHT using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and determine which microstructural abnormalities are associated with poor outcome. Retrospective DTI data from 17 infants (>3 months) with a diagnosis of AHT and a comparison cohort of 34 term infants of similar post-conceptual age (PCA) were compared using a voxel-based DTI analysis of cerebral WM. AHT cases were dichotomously classified into mild/moderate versus severe outcome. Clinical variables and conventional imaging findings were also analyzed in relation to outcome. Outcomes were classified in accordance with the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Score (PCPCS). Reduced axial diffusivity (AD) was shown in widespread WM regions in the AHT infants compared with controls as well as in the AHT severe outcome group compared with the AHT mild/moderate outcome group. Reduced mean diffusivity (MD) was also associated with severe outcome. Radial diffusivity (RD), conventional magnetic resonance findings, brain metric measurements, and clinical/laboratory variables (with the exception of Glascow Coma Scale) did not differ among AHT outcome groups. Findings support the unique role of DTI techniques, beyond conventional imaging, in the evaluation of microstructural WM injury of AHT. Reduced AD (likely reflecting axonal damage) and MD were associated with poor clinical outcome. DTI abnormalities may uniquely reflect AHT patterns of axonal injury that are not characterized by conventional imaging, which may have both therapeutic and prognostic implications. (Author Abstract)en_US
dc.identifier.citationImagawa, K. K., Hamilton, A., Ceschin, R., Tokar, E., Pham, P., Bluml, S., ... & Panigrahy, A. (2014). Characterization of Microstructural Injury: A Novel Approach in Infant Abusive Head Trauma—Initial Experience. Journal of neurotrauma, 31(19), 1632-1638.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4171035/pdf/neu.2013.3228.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/2940
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherJournal of neurotraumaen_US
dc.subjectchild abuseen_US
dc.subjectphysical abuseen_US
dc.subjectbrain injuryen_US
dc.subjectdiagnosisen_US
dc.subjectprognosisen_US
dc.subjectresearchen_US
dc.titleCharacterization of Microstructural Injury: A Novel Approach in Infant Abusive Head Trauma — Initial Experienceen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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