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Neuropediatrics 1991; 22(3): 139-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071432
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Development of the Brainstem: Assessment by MR Imaging

T.  Hashimoto , M.  Tayama , M.  Miyazaki , Y.  Kuroda
  • Department of Pediatrics, Tokushima University School of Medicine, Kuramoto-cho 3, Tokushima 770, Japan
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Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The morphological development of the brainstem was studied by means of MR imaging. The subjects were 74 cases ranging in age from 4 months to 16 years, and 6 adult cases.

The brainstem development was rapid until 4-6 years of age and thereafter it slowed down. That is the brainstem showed exponential growth (w', t', v and u). The relationship between brainstem growth and the cranium size was divided into 4 types as follows: 1) linear increase with development (s/T-O), 2) plateau (w/T-I and v/RTP-LTP), 3) down and up (u/RTM-LTM and z/RTM-LTM) and 4) exponential (t/T-P). In the values of v, z (the size of the brainstem in axial view) and t/T-P (the ratio of the midbrain and the cranium size in sagittal view), there were significant sex differences for cases of 10-16 years old. These values in male subjects were greater than those in female subjects (v, p<0.05, z, p<0.01, and t/T-P, p<0.05). That is the brainstem in male subjects was greater than that in female subjects.

Key words

Brainstem - Development - MR imaging - Morphology