Related Experiment Videos
Pericerebellar fluid collections in infancy, sequelae of birth injury? A retrospective CT study
J R Thompson1, R C Fetz, D B Hinshaw
1Department of Radiation Sciences, Loma Linda University Medical Center, California.
Insights
This study identified abnormal low-density pericerebellar spaces in pediatric CT scans, differentiating between cerebellar atrophy and fluid collections, which may indicate birth-related sequelae.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Pericerebellar spaces can be challenging to interpret on pediatric CT scans.
- Distinguishing between cisternal dilatation and fluid collections is crucial for diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish CT criteria for differentiating low-attenuation pericerebellar spaces.
- To investigate the potential causes and associations of these spaces in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of axial CT scans from 600 pediatric patients.
- Categorization of pericerebellar spaces into Group I (Atrophy) and Group II (Collections) based on morphology.
- Review of medical records for patients in Group II.
Main Results:
- 37 of 600 pediatric patients (6%) exhibited abnormal low-density pericerebellar spaces.
- 14 patients (38%) were diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy (Group I).
- 23 patients (62%) were diagnosed with mass-like pericerebellar fluid collections (Group II).
- Group II patients showed a high incidence of prematurity, developmental delay, difficult birth, and head trauma.
Conclusions:
- Proposed CT criteria can distinguish between cisternal dilatation due to cerebellar atrophy and mass-like fluid collections.
- Pericerebellar fluid collections may represent sequelae of birth-related complications.
Abstract:
Retrospective analysis of axial CT scans from 600 consecutive pediatric patients revealed 37 patients (6%) with abnormal low density pericerebellar spaces. Fourteen of these 37 patients (38%) were diagnosed as cerebellar atrophy, whereas 23 of the 37 patients (62%) were diagnosed as mass-like pericerebellar fluid collections. Detailed analysis of the morphology of these spaces suggests that the CT criteria proposed in this paper distinguish between (a) those low attenuation pericerebellar spaces that represent cisternal dilatation caused by cerebellar atrophy (Group I - Atrophy) and (b) those low attenuation pericerebellar spaces that represent low density mass-like collections of fluid which distort a relatively normal cerebellum (Group II - Collections). Analysis of the medical records of the patients in Group II - Collections reveal a high incidence of prematurity, developmental delay, difficult birth and head trauma, possibly indicating that such collections represent sequelae of birth.