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A Standardized Pipeline for Examining Human Cerebellar Grey Matter Morphometry using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: February 4, 2022
Biometry of the Cerebellar Vermis and Brain Stem in Children: MR Imaging Reference Data from Measurements in 718
C Jandeaux1, G Kuchcinski1, C Ternynck2
1From the Departments of Neuroradiology (C.J., G.K., X.L., J.-P.P., G.S.-A.).
Insights
This study provides crucial MR imaging reference data for the cerebellar vermis and brain stem in children. These measurements aid in identifying potential hypoplasia and understanding normal development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neuroradiology
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Lack of objective, quantitative data for cerebellar vermis and brain stem hypoplasia in children.
- Need for standardized MR imaging (Magnetic Resonance imaging) biometric references.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish MR imaging biometric references for the cerebellar vermis and brain stem.
- Utilize a large cohort of children with normal cerebellums for reference data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MR imaging data from 718 children (1 day to 15 years).
- Manual measurement of four 2D parameters: vermian height, vermis diameter, midbrain-pons junction diameter, and midpons diameter.
- Evaluation of inter- and intraobserver agreement for measurement reproducibility.
Main Results:
- Provided reference values (3rd to 97th percentiles) for all measured parameters.
- Observed distinct growth patterns: rapid vermis growth in the first year, slower growth until age five, and plateau; progressive brain stem growth.
- Demonstrated excellent inter- and intraobserver agreement, indicating high reliability.
Conclusions:
- Offers simple, reproducible MR imaging measurements for the vermis and brain stem.
- Provides essential reference data for clinical practice in pediatric neuroradiology.
- Highlights the need for further validation of these 2D measurements in pediatric neurological disorders.
Background And Purpose:
Objective and quantitative data to define cerebellar vermis and/or brain stem hypoplasia in children are lacking. Our aim was to provide MR imaging biometric references for the cerebellar vermis and brain stem from a large cohort of children with normal cerebellums.
Materials And Methods:
The MR imaging data were retrospectively selected from our hospital data base from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2017. All MR imaging examinations of children between 1 day and 15 years of age, including midline sagittal sections, were included. Children with a clinical history or MR imaging abnormalities that may affect the posterior fossa were excluded. We manually measured four 2D parameters: vermian height, anterior-posterior diameter of the vermis, anterior-posterior diameter of the midbrain-pons junction, and anterior-posterior midpons diameter. The inter- and intraobserver agreement was evaluated.
Results:
Seven hundred eighteen children were included (372 boys and 346 girls), from 1 day to 15 years of age. Normal values (third to 97th percentiles) were provided for each parameter. The vermis parameters showed a rapid growth phase during the first year, a slower growth until the fifth year, and finally a near-plateau phase. The brain stem parameters showed more progressive growth. The intra- and interobserver agreement was excellent for all parameters.
Conclusions:
We provide reference biometric data of the vermis and the brain stem using simple and reproducible measurements that are easy to use in daily practice. The relevance of these 2D measurements should be further validated in diseases associated with cerebellar abnormalities.
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Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...