What does leukomalacia mean?
By Marcus Reynolds
What does leukomalacia mean?
“Leukomalacia” is defined as necrosis of white matter, and not all echodensities in ultrasonography or high signal intensities on MRI are associated with necrosis on pathology. Some of these echodensities are due to excess of pre-oligodendrocytes and their maturational arrest (diffuse white matter gliosis).
What is mild leukomalacia?
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a type of brain injury that affects premature infants. The condition involves the death of small areas of brain tissue around fluid-filled areas called ventricles. The damage creates “holes” in the brain. “Leuko” refers to the brain’s white matter.
What is ischemic leukomalacia?
Periventrivular leukomalacia (PVL) refers to focal or diffuse cerebral white matter damage due to ischemia and inflammatory mechanisms (Volpe, 2009a,c). Focal PLV consists of localized cell necrosis in periventricular white matter. The extent of cell necrosis could be limited and develop into glial scars.
How is periventricular leukomalacia diagnosed?
Periventricular leukomalacia diagnostic tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cranial ultrasounds. An MRI uses medical equipment containing magnets, radio waves, and computer software to take photos of the inside of the brain. To help diagnose PVL, doctors use MRIs to look for signs of brain tissue damage.
How is PVL treated?
There is no treatment to cure PVL. Babies at risk for PVL may need special care after discharge from the hospital. Follow-up may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Is periventricular leukomalacia a stroke?
Animal Models of Neonatal Stroke/Ischemia Hemorrhage and periventricular white matter injury, including periventricular leukomalacia, are the most common types of ischemia-related injuries in preterm human babies.
Can leukomalacia be cured?
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is characterized by the death or damage and softening of the white matter, the inner part of the brain that transmits information between the nerve cells and the spinal cord, as well as from one part of the brain to another.
What is Periventricular leukomalacia?
What is periventricular leukomalacia? Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a brain injury disorder characterized by the death of the white matter of the brain due to softening of the brain tissue. It can affect fetuses or newborns, and premature babies are at the greatest risk of the disorder.
What is neonatal cerebral leukomalacia?
Neonatal Cerebral Leukomalacia Degeneration of white matter adjacent to the CEREBRAL VENTRICLES following cerebral hypoxia or BRAIN ISCHEMIA in neonates. The condition primarily affects white matter in the perfusion zone between superficial and deep branches of the MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY.
