Kernicterus: Acute MR imaging findings

Purpose: To investigate the cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings of kernicterus in the acute stage. Material And Methods: Nine neonates who admitted with jaundice, encephalopathy and indirect hyperbilirubinemia (mean, 35.9 mg/dL) were prospectively evaluated with cranial magnetic resonance imaging. Pathological signal changes were evaluated -paying particular attention to globus pallidus. Results: Six of nine patients demonstrated bilateral, symmetrical, increased signal intensity in the globus pallidus on T1-weighted imaging in various degrees. These lesions were not apparent on T 2-weighted images. In one patient without globus pallidus involvement multiple parenchymal punctate T1 hyperintense lesions consistent with hemorrhage were seen. The magnetic resonance imaging studies of other two patients showed no evidence of abnormality. Conclusion: The involvement of globus pallidus seen as hyperintense on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, is a common and characteristic finding of acute kernicterus.