Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Whole-brain Segmentation and Change-point Analysis of Anatomical Brain MRI—Application in Premanifest Huntington's Disease
Published on: June 9, 2018
Volumetric brain differences in children with periventricular T2-signal hyperintensities: a grouping by gestational
A Panigrahy1, P D Barnes, R L Robertson
1Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095-1721, USA.
Insights
Children born prematurely with periventricular white matter (PVWM) T2-signal hyperintensities show smaller white matter volumes and larger lateral ventricles. These findings correlate with varying neuromotor abnormalities, highlighting the impact of gestational age on brain development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Periventricular white matter (PVWM) T2-signal hyperintensities are observed in pediatric MR imaging.
- These hyperintensities can be associated with neuromotor abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare lateral ventricle and cerebral white matter volumes in children with PVWM T2-signal hyperintensities based on gestational age at birth.
- To determine the spectrum of neuromotor abnormalities associated with these hyperintensities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of MR images from 70 children (1-5 years) with PVWM T2-signal hyperintensities.
- Patients divided into premature (n=35) and term (n=35) groups.
- Volumetric analysis of cerebral white matter and lateral ventricles using T2-weighted images and age-adjusted analysis of covariance.
Main Results:
- Premature group had significantly smaller white matter volumes (54 cm³) and larger lateral ventricles (30 cm³) compared to the term group (79 cm³ and 13 cm³, respectively).
- Neuromotor abnormalities included spastic diplegia/quadriplegia in 50% of premature children and hypotonia in 32% of term children.
- Some patients exhibited seizures or developmental delays, with or without clear neuromotor deficits.
Conclusions:
- Gestational age at birth is a significant factor influencing white matter and lateral ventricle volumes in children with PVWM T2-signal hyperintensities.
- PVWM T2-signal hyperintensities are associated with a range of neurological and motor abnormalities in children.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to compare both the volumes of the lateral ventricles and the cerebral white matter with gestational age at birth of children with periventricular white matter (PVWM) T2-signal hyperintensities on MR images. The spectrum of neuromotor abnormalities associated with these hyperintensities was also determined.
Materials And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the MR images of 70 patients who were between the ages of 1 and 5 years and whose images showed PVWM T2-signal hyperintensities. The patients were divided into premature (n = 35 children) and term (n = 35) groups depending on their gestational age at birth. Volumetric analysis was performed on four standardized axial sections using T2-weighted images. Volumes of interest were digitized on the basis of gray-scale densities of signal intensities to define the hemispheric cerebral white matter and lateral ventricles. Age-adjusted comparisons of volumetric measurements between the premature and term groups were performed using analysis of covariance.
Results:
The volume of the cerebral white matter was smaller in the premature group (54 +/- 2 cm(3)) than in the term group (79 +/- 3 cm(3), p < 0.0001). The volume of the lateral ventricles was greater among the patients in the premature group (30 +/- 2 cm(3)) than among those in the term group (13 +/- 1 cm(3), p < 0.0001). Fifty percent of all the premature children had spastic diplegia or quadriplegia. Thirty-two percent of all the term children had hypotonia. There were patients in both groups whose PVWM T2-signal hyperintensities did not correlate with any neuromotor abnormalities but were associated with seizures or developmental delays.
Conclusion:
The differences in volumetric measurements of cerebral white matter and lateral ventricles in children with PVWM T2-signal hyperintensities are related to their gestational age at birth. Several neurologic motor abnormalities are found in children with such hyperintensities.
