Fact-sheet: Periventricular leukomalacia


Updated on 08/26/2020 at 2:16 PM

Note : 0/10
Share

View all RADEOS cases associated with this fact-sheet

Definition

Ischemic lesions of the white matter adjacent to the ventricles, +/- complicated by hemorrhage

Necrosis of the periventricular white matter due to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, most often in preterm infants

Affects 10% of very preterm infants

Clinical features

Highly inconsistent, subtle, and nonspecific.

Sometimes responsible for significant motor deficits and psychomotor delays

Ultrasound

Periventricular hyperechogenicities

Cystic cavities

MRI

T2 hyperintensity of the periventricular region

Scalloped appearance of the lateral ventricles

Dilation and deformation of the lateral ventricles

Atrophy

Management

No treatment

Classification

  • Grade 1: Periventricular hyperechogenicities without cysts, persisting for more than 7 days
  • Grade 2: Hyperechogenicities evolving into microcysts
  • Grade 3: Periventricular hyperechogenicities progressing to extensive cyst formation in the frontoparietal and occipital regions
  • Grade 4: Periventricular hyperechogenicities extending into the deep white matter and progressing to extensive subcortical cysts