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Published on: January 7, 2019
Microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern: MRI classification
R Jeroen Vermeulen1, Marko Wilke, Veronka Horber
1Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. rj.vermeulen@vumc.nl
Objectives:
To develop subjective (visual) and objective (morphometric) rating scales for the classification of MRI in infants who had microcephaly with a simplified gyral pattern (MSGP) and to validate the first by the latter.
Methods:
We compared the MRI of 12 patients with MSGP and of 5 term-born control infants. Visual rating and morphometric analysis was performed for gyration and associated brain abnormalities of basal ganglia, lateral ventricles, pons, cerebellum, and corpus callosum.
Results:
Gyral pattern was rated reliably as normal in the control infants, simplified in 6 patients, and severely simplified in the other 6 patients. Associated brain abnormalities were reported in 10 of 12 patients. Visual rating correlated well with the morphometric measures.
Conclusions:
Our visual rating scale for a simplified gyral pattern proved to be sensitive and reliable. Associated brain abnormalities are frequent, which underlines the need for a consistent scoring in these patients.
Insights
A new visual rating scale reliably classifies microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern (MSGP) in infants using MRI. This sensitive scale identifies frequent associated brain abnormalities, aiding consistent diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Microcephaly with a simplified gyral pattern (MSGP) is a complex congenital brain abnormality.
- Accurate classification and identification of associated brain malformations are crucial for prognosis and management.
- Standardized assessment tools for infant brain MRI in MSGP are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate subjective (visual) and objective (morphometric) rating scales for classifying infant brain MRI in MSGP.
- To assess the reliability and sensitivity of the developed visual scale against morphometric measures.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of MRI scans from 12 infants with MSGP and 5 healthy term-born controls.
- Application of visual rating and morphometric analysis to evaluate gyration and associated brain abnormalities (basal ganglia, ventricles, pons, cerebellum, corpus callosum).
Main Results:
- The visual rating scale reliably distinguished normal, simplified, and severely simplified gyral patterns.
- 6 out of 12 MSGP patients had simplified gyration, and 6 had severely simplified gyration.
- Associated brain abnormalities were identified in 10 out of 12 MSGP patients, with good correlation between visual and morphometric assessments.
Conclusions:
- The developed visual rating scale for simplified gyral pattern in infants is sensitive and reliable.
- Associated brain abnormalities are common in MSGP, highlighting the necessity for consistent scoring systems.
- This validated visual scale can aid in the standardized assessment of MSGP in pediatric neuroimaging.
