Holoprosencephaly in children: diffusion tensor MR imaging of white matter tracts of the brainstem--initial experience.

Authors

• Sait Albayram
• Elias R Melhem
• Susumu Mori
• S James Zinreich
• A James Barkovich
• Stephen L Kinsman

Publication/Presentation Date

6-1-2002

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dimensions of specific white matter tracts in the brainstems (region of brain thought to be least affected) of children with holoprosencephaly by using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to correlate these abnormalities with forebrain malformation severity and neurologic deficit severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with holoprosencephaly underwent diffusion tensor MR imaging, with which white matter color maps were generated. Type of holoprosencephaly was correlated with presence or absence of specific brainstem white matter tracts. Furthermore, patient rank based on cortico-ponto-spinal tract (CPST) and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) dimensions was correlated with holoprosencephaly type and neurodevelopmental score by using Spearman rank correlation analysis.

RESULTS: Two patients had alobar holoprosencephaly, five had the semilobar type, one had the lobar type, and one had the middle-hemisphere-variant type. Four patients were excluded from analysis. In the two patients with alobar holoprosencephaly, the CPSTs were absent bilaterally. In all of the remaining patients except one, who had semilobar holoprosencephaly in which the CPSTs could not be identified at the level of the medulla oblongata, all tracts were present bilaterally. Holoprosencephaly type and neurodevelopmental score correlated strongly with CPST and MCP dimensions (P < .01) over and above the effect of age.

CONCLUSION: In vivo identification of brainstem white matter tract abnormalities in patients with holoprosencephaly can be achieved by performing diffusion tensor MR imaging.

Volume

223

Issue

3

First Page

645

Last Page

651

ISSN

0033-8419

Published In/Presented At

Albayram, S., Melhem, E. R., Mori, S., Zinreich, S. J., Barkovich, A. J., & Kinsman, S. L. (2002). Holoprosencephaly in children: diffusion tensor MR imaging of white matter tracts of the brainstem--initial experience. Radiology, 223(3), 645–651. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2233011197

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

12034930

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article