Prenatal MR Diffusion Tractography in a Fetus with Complete Corpus Callosum Agenesis

A. Meoded; A. Poretti; A. Tekes; A. Flammang; S. Pryde; T.A.G.M. Huisman

doi:10.1055/s-0031-1283112

Neuropediatrics, Table of Contents

Neuropediatrics 2011; 42(3): 122-123
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1283112

Short Communication

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prenatal MR Diffusion Tractography in a Fetus with Complete Corpus Callosum Agenesis

A. Meoded

¹Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H., Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

,

A. Poretti

¹Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H., Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

,

A. Tekes

¹Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H., Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

,

A. Flammang

²Center for Applied Medical Imaging, Siemens Corporation, Baltimore, MD, USA

,

S. Pryde

¹Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H., Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

,

T.A.G.M. Huisman

¹Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H., Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in combination with 3D-tractography reconstructions allows studying the neuro-architecture of complex brain malformations in vivo. Prenatal, in utero DTI has been limited by long acquisition times, poor signal to noise ratio and multiple artifacts. Recent developments in hard- and software allow collection of high quality DTI data sets in utero. We report on the DTI and tractography data of a fetus with a corpus callosum agenesis. Our case shows that nowadays the neuro-architecture of the fetal brain can be studied in excellent detail. Prenatal DTI and tractography may help to improve our understanding of complex brain malformations.

Key words

corpus callosum agenesis - fetal MRI - diffusion tensor imaging

Full Text

References

References
1 Garel C. New advances in fetal MR neuroimaging. Pediatr Radiol 2006; 36: 621-625
2 Huisman TA, Tekes A. Advanced MR brain imaging. Why? Pediatr Radiol 2008; 38 (Suppl. 03) S415-S432
3 Kim DH, Chung S, Vigneron DB et al. Diffusion-weighted imaging of the fetal brain in vivo. Magn Reson Med 2008; 59: 216-220
4 Kasprian G, Brugger PC, Weber M et al. In utero tractography of fetal white matter development. Neuroimage 2008; 43: 213-224
5 Rakic P, Yakovlev PI. Development of the corpus callosum and cavum septi in man. J Comp Neurol 1968; 132: 45-72