The role of MRI-based texture analysis to predict the severity of brain injury in neonates with perinatal asphyxia

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the MRI-based texture analysis (TA) of the basal ganglia and thalami to distinguish moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) from mild HIE in neonates. Methods: This study included 68 neonates (15 with mild, 20 with moderate-to-severe HIE, and 33 control) were born at 37 gestational weeks or later and underwent MRI in first 10 days after birth. The basal ganglia and thalami were delineated for TA on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, T 1 -, and T 2 weighted images. The basal ganglia, thalami, and the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) were also evaluated visually on diffusion-weighted imaging and T 1 weighted sequence. Receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Totally, 56 texture features for the basal ganglia and 46 features for the thalami were significantly different between the HIE groups on the ADC maps, T 2 -, and T 2 weighted sequences. Using a Histogram_entropy log-10 value as >1.8 from the basal ganglia on the ADC maps (p < 0.001; OR, 266) and the absence of hyperintensity of the PLIC on T 1 weighted images (p = 0.012; OR, 17.11) were found as independent predictors for moderate-to-severe HIE. Using only a Histogram_entropy log-10 value had an equal diagnostic yield when compared to its combination with other texture features and imaging findings. Conclusion: The Histogram_entropy log-10 value can be used as an indicator to differentiate from moderate-to-severe to mild HIE. Advances in knowledge: MRI-based TA may provide quantitative findings to indicate different stages in neonates with perinatal asphyxia.