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Neuropediatrics 2019; 50(03): 146-151
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1679899
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

“Restricted Diffusion” within the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum: A Potential Pitfall in Young Infants on 3T Imaging and Marker of Normal Myelin Maturation

Ai Peng Tan
1   Department of Diagnostic Imaging, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
,
Yi Ting Lim
1   Department of Diagnostic Imaging, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
› Author Affiliations Funding Source No funding was secured for this study.
Further Information

Publication History

01 November 2018

04 January 2019

Publication Date:
15 March 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Purpose To determine the prevalence of “restricted diffusion” within the splenium of the corpus callosum (SOCC) on 3 Tesla (T) and 1.5T imaging systems and to establish the contribution of myelin maturation to the presence of “restricted diffusion” within the SOCC.

Materials and Methods The imaging database at our hospital was queried to build three cohorts of patients: (1) age < 4 months, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans done on a 3T system; (2) age < 4 months, with MRI scans done on a 1.5T system; and (3) age ≥ 4 months, with MRI scans done on a 3T system, for retrospective analysis. A total of 101 MRI scans were reviewed.

Results “Restricted diffusion” within the SOCC was present in 26 of 29 (90%) patients from cohort 1, in 1 of 37 (3%) patients from cohort 2, and in 1 of 35 (3%) patients from cohort 3. There is a significant difference in the prevalence of “restricted diffusion” in the SOCC between the three cohorts of patients.

Conclusions “Restricted diffusion” within the SOCC may be a normal finding in infants less than 4 months of age, imaged on a 3T system. The presence of “restricted diffusion” within the splenium may serve as a potential marker of normal brain maturation.

Keywords

restricted diffusion - splenium of corpus callosum - pitfall - myelin maturation

Financial Disclosure

The authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.


Supplementary Material

 

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