Localized cerebral infarction in the premature infant: an ultrasound diagnosis correlated with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Findings on cranial ultrasonography strongly suggested the diagnosis of a localized infarct in four premature infants. CT was performed to differentiate between hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic lesions, and magnetic resonance imaging was used to obtain information about the late effect of the lesions. The clinical findings, imaging findings, and later outcome in these premature infants were compared with the existing knowledge of this type of lesion in the full-term infant. A localized infarct appears to carry a good prognosis in the premature infant and should be differentiated from other types of lesions, such as periventricular leukomalacia or parenchymal hemorrhage, which are more common in the premature infant and carry a worse prognosis.