The prognostic value of brain CT scan in infants with periventricular leukomalacia

Brain CT scan was performed at 40 weeks of conceptional age in 17 preterm infants with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). The finding of periventricular low density was not useful in differentiating patients with PVL from normal infants, because this finding was seen in 40% of normal infants. The following findings were characteristic of PVL : (1) a marked low density area in centrum semioval, (2) an irregular outline of ventricular wall, and (3) low density spots in periventricular white matter. The findings of ventricular dilation with irregular wall and marked low density area in centrum semioval were correlated with a finding of volume loss on MRI during late infancy and the severity of neurological impairment, especially in severely affected patients. Marked low density area in centrum semioval was characteristic of severe PVL as demonstrated on brain CT scan. (author)