Population-based studies of brain imaging patterns in cerebral palsy
Susan M Reid1, Charuta D Dagia, Michael R Ditchfield
1Developmental Disability & Rehabilitation Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|August 14, 2013
Summary
Neuroimaging reveals brain abnormalities in 86% of cerebral palsy (CP) cases, with white matter injury being most common. Standardization of neuroimaging classification is crucial for understanding CP causes and improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex neurological disorder.
- Neuroimaging is essential for understanding CP's underlying brain abnormalities.
- Standardized classification of neuroimaging findings is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the distribution of neuroimaging findings in a contemporary cerebral palsy (CP) population cohort.
- To identify patterns and frequencies of brain abnormalities in individuals with CP.
- To facilitate the standardization of neuroimaging classification for CP.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of publications from 1995 to 2012.
- Inclusion of population-based cohort studies reporting neuroimaging findings in CP.
- Extraction of data including unpublished findings and assessment of heterogeneity across subgroups.
Main Results:
- Brain abnormalities were present in 86% of CP scans.
- White matter injury was the most frequent pattern (19-45%), with high heterogeneity.
- Other common findings included grey matter injury (21%), focal vascular insults (10%), and malformations (11%).
Conclusions:
- Significant heterogeneity exists in neuroimaging findings across CP populations.
- Standardization of neuroimaging classification is needed for research and clinical practice.
- Standardization will aid in understanding CP etiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes.
