Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the characteristic findings on MRI in children surviving premature delivery with cerebral palsy.MethodsThe clinical data and MR imaging in 16 cases surviving premature delivery with cerebral palsy was retrospectively analyzed, compared with 16 healthy and age-matched controls.Results16 cases were final diagnosed as cerebral palsy with spstic diplegia. MRI features of children surviving premature delivery with cerebral palsy included abnormally high signal intensity in the periventricula white matter on T₂WI, marked loss of periventricular deep white matter, ventriculomegaly with or without irregular ventricular outline and atrophy of the corpus callossum. These features were consistent with periventricular leukomalacia(PVL).ConclusionPVL was the characteristic findings on MRI in children surviving premature delivery with cerebral palsy. The characteristic findings of PVL was useful in determining the etiology and type of cerebral palsy in children.

Key words: magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral palsy, periventricular leukomalacia, gestational age