MRI of bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus): A case series of 4 patients from Sub-Saharan Africa, May 2017

Getachew Assefa Neknek, MD; Kindu Woldemichael, MD; Ayalew Moges, MD; Daniel Zewdneh Solomon, MD, MHA

Radiology Case Reports (Jun 2018)

MRI of bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus): A case series of 4 patients from Sub-Saharan Africa, May 2017

Getachew Assefa Neknek, MD,
Kindu Woldemichael, MD,
Ayalew Moges, MD,
Daniel Zewdneh Solomon, MD, MHA

Affiliations

Getachew Assefa Neknek, MD: Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Churchill Rd. Po Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Kindu Woldemichael, MD: Health Section, UNECA, UNHCC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ayalew Moges, MD: Department of Pediatrics and Child Development, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Daniel Zewdneh Solomon, MD, MHA: Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Churchill Rd. Po Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 3
pp. 676 – 679

Abstract

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Characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with chronic kernicterus are bilateral and symmetric T2-weighted hyperintensities in the globus pallidus. We report 4 cases of infants with clinical, laboratory, and MRI findings of kernicterus in this case series. This is the first MRI report of kernicterus in Ethiopia. Awareness of the disease is raised in this report, and the role of magnetic resonance in detecting signal abnormalities associated with kernicterus in the globus pallidi is underscored. We recommend MRI to be part of the investigation in neonates with jaundice. Keywords: Kernicterus, Globus pallidus, MRI

Published in Radiology Case Reports

ISSN: 1930-0433 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiology-case-reports

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