Semi-automatic volumetry of cortical tubers in tuberous sclerosis complex

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the volume and number of tubers and the age at seizure onset in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. We also examined the relationship between the volume and number of cyst-like tubers and the age at seizure onset.

We retrospectively studied 23 patients with TSC (16 males and 7 females, mean age 12.4 ± 9.5 years). Routine structural MR-imaging data analysis was performed using QBrain. Total brain volume, total tuber volume, and the number of tubers were measured semi-automatically. Additionally, the total volume and the number of only cyst-like tubers were measured. The tuber/brain proportion (TBP) and the cyst-like tuber/brain proportion (cTBP) were calculated, and these were compared with the age at seizure onset. The numbers of tubers and cyst-like tubers were also compared with the age at seizure onset.

For both TBP and the number of tubers, a significant negative correlation with age at seizure onset was identified (ρ = -0.69, p < 0.01 and ρ = -0.56, p < 0.01). No significant correlation of cTBP or the number of cyst-like tubers with age at seizure onset was identified (ρ = -0.26, p = 0.37 and ρ = -0.048, p = 0.87).

TBP may be associated with age at seizure onset.