MR Spectroscopy and SWI: Neuropsyehological Outcome after Pediatric Brain Injury
Truamatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most frequent pediatric neurological disorders and a significant contributor to childhood morbidity/mortality in the US. Although clinical indicators have been helpful in predicting long term outcomes, more effective prognostic tools are being sought. This study assessed the efficacies of acute single and multi-voxel Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) when predicting long-term neurocognitive functioning in pediatric TBI patients. Twenty children/adolescents (mean age 13.3 years, 5.8 SD) treated at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital for a head injury were administered measures of intellectual and neuropsychological functioning 1-4 years post injury. Without exception, patients scored markedly lower on all neurocognitive measures compared to age-matched norms. Clinical indicators of injury severity and age at injury were associated with outcomes. Early age at injury (< 8 years) and severe TBI together resulted in poor neurocognitive outcome, older age and mild injury resulted in scores within the normal range, while variable outcome was noted for patients with only one of the risk factors.
Psychology, Brain Injuries -- Child; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy -- psychology; Neuropsychological Tests; Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological
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