Imaging the Neonatal Brain: Novel Techniques

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the neonate can be a difficult procedure especially when most imaging departments are geographically distant to neonatal intensive care units. These vulnerable neonates are often notable to be imaged by MR as they are too sick to transport. MR scanners are expensive pieces of equipment in specialist centres and this limits their availability. Low field strength scanners have a small capital cost and small running costs. This has allowed them to be developed for dedicated neonatal imaging in a few centres. Experience using these scanners is limited but they provide additional information over and above ultrasound imaging and are an ideal method to increase the availability of MR. MR compatible incubators that double as transport incubators reduce the amount of handling the vulnerable neonate is exposed to and maintains the environmental conditions required for the neonate. This makes access to distant MR scanners possible. Fast imaging sequences reduce the overall scanning time and reduce the need for sedation or anaesthesia. These methods allow the vulnerable neonate to be imaged safely whilst providing essential imaging information for optimal clinical management.