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Abstract #4393

Abnormal Microstructure of the Thalamus in Childhood Survivors of Prematurity: Assessment with Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Arabhi C. Nagasunder1, Hannah C. Kinney2, Caroline Jane Tavare3, Tena Rosser4, Floyd H. Gilles3, Marvin D. Nelson1, Stefan Bluml1,5, Ashok Panigrahy1,6

1Department of Radiology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; 2Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Boston, Boston, MA, United States; 3Department of Neuropathology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; 4Division of Neurology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; 5Rudi Schulte Research Institute, Santa Barbara, CA, United States; 6Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, United States


Long-term survivors of prematurity with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) suffer major cognitive deficits. One of the critical structures is the thalamus which is involved in cognition via extensive interconnections with the cerebral cortex. The goal of this study was to show combined volumetric and DTI data within the parenchyma of the thalamus in childhood survivors of prematurity with PVL. We found significant atrophy in combination with microstructural abnormalities with preferential pulvinar injury.