Neuroimaging of perinatal brain disorders

Perinatal brain disorders are a broad topic that covers a variety of abnormalities, ranging from congenital disorders of the central nervous system that may be detected early in gestation, to diagnoses made postnatally due to brain injury that occurred around the time of delivery or secondary to prematurity. Neuroimaging of perinatal brain disorders with the use of ultrasound and MRI allows for early detection of neurologic abnormalities, which may have a significant impact on patient care. Correct diagnosis is essential to providing accurate recommendations for management and prognosis, for both parents and providers. This chapter outlines the incidence, pathophysiology, and neuroimaging findings in a variety of perinatal brain disorders.