The human cerebral cortex on MRI: value of the coronal plane

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Accurate visualization of cortical areas is crucial for understanding brain function and diagnosing neurological disorders.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a primary tool for brain structure analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal MRI plane for evaluating critical cortical areas.
• To establish the most effective imaging plane for neuroanatomical comparison and clinical diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• MRI scans of 50 healthy subjects were analyzed.
• Utilized spin echo and gradient echo sequences in T1 and T2 weighting.
• Acquired images in horizontal, sagittal, and coronal planes.

Main Results:

• The coronal plane provided the most accurate visualization of essential cortical areas, including Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and regions involved in memory and visuospatial functions.
• Coronal plane accuracy is enhanced when correlated with orthogonal planes (horizontal and sagittal).
• Sections aligned perpendicular or parallel to the anterior-posterior commissure plane facilitate comparison with neuroanatomy atlases.

Conclusions:

• The coronal plane is the most precise for evaluating cortical areas critical for language, memory, visuospatial, and behavioral functions.
• Routine inclusion of coronal MRI sequences is recommended for patients with neurological disorders.
• Coronal MRI findings must be integrated with other imaging planes and clinical neurological data for comprehensive assessment.