Work

Identifying anatomic brain structures using ultra-low field MRI in newborns

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Ultralow-field (ULF) MRI reliably displays anatomic structures validated by cranial ultrasound • ULF can be used to perform linear measurements in neonatal brains • ULF can be used as point-of-care imaging at the infant’s bedside • ULF can produce clinical usable images during natural sleep without need of sedation Besides its limitations, cranial ultrasound is the standard imaging method in neonates. Early postnatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers more objective measurements, but access to MRI is often limited. Portable ultralow-field (ULF) MRI could expand MRI access. To date, no comparison is available between cranial ultrasound and ULF MRI measuring neonatal brain metrics. : We performed paired ULF MRI and cranial ultrasound in 28 term newborns. Dimensions of ten routinely measured anatomic structures were measured and compared between the modalities. : Correlations between ULF MRI and ultrasound biometrics was significant for most anatomic brain structures (median correlation coefficient 0,73). : ULF MRI reliably displays ultrasound biometry of the neonatal brain. We found that ULF imaging can be performed as point-of-care MRI at the neonatal bedside during natural sleep, which may widen the access to MRI. : This work is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Ultralow field Neuroimaging in The Young: INV-005798).

Source: NeuroImage

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121497

Authors: Anne Groteklaes, Efe Nacarkucuk, Till Dresbach, Andreas Mueller, Hemmen Sabir

Institutions: University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn

Language: English

Topic: Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,540