Periventricular leukomalacia is the most frequent ischemic lesion in the immature brain and affects which tissue?

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Multiple Choice

Periventricular leukomalacia is the most frequent ischemic lesion in the immature brain and affects which tissue?

Periventricular leukomalacia predominantly involves white matter. In the preterm, immature brain, the periventricular white matter contains many developing oligodendrocyte precursors that are highly vulnerable to hypoxia-ischemia. When these cells are injured, myelination is disrupted, leading to necrosis and later gliosis or cyst formation in the white matter surrounding the ventricles. The periventricular region is a watershed area with limited collateral blood supply, making it especially susceptible to ischemic injury. Gray matter is more resistant at this stage, so PVL characteristically spares it early on, whereas damage to the white matter tracts near the ventricles underlies the motor deficits often seen, such as spastic diplegia.

Periventricular leukomalacia predominantly involves white matter. In the preterm, immature brain, the periventricular white matter contains many developing oligodendrocyte precursors that are highly vulnerable to hypoxia-ischemia. When these cells are injured, myelination is disrupted, leading to necrosis and later gliosis or cyst formation in the white matter surrounding the ventricles. The periventricular region is a watershed area with limited collateral blood supply, making it especially susceptible to ischemic injury. Gray matter is more resistant at this stage, so PVL characteristically spares it early on, whereas damage to the white matter tracts near the ventricles underlies the motor deficits often seen, such as spastic diplegia.

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