Use of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) pulse sequences in perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) techniques in patients with perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. 13 patients with a history of perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (age range 1 month to 3.6 years) underwent T1 and T2 weighted spin echo and FLAIR imaging with a 1.5 T superconducting unit. FLAIR images were qualitatively evaluated in comparison with T1 and T2 weighted images by three experienced radiologists. Quantitative analysis (contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio) was also performed. FLAIR images were preferred to T1 and T2 weighted images in the demonstration of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), cystic PVL and subcortical lesions near the brain surface. On T1 and T2 weighted images, almost all lesions were demonstrated as hypointense or hyperintense areas, respectively. However, FLAIR images could differentiate cystic lesions by their signal intensities. FLAIR images were not diagnostic in two cases with PVL. In con...