Diffusion tensor imaging of midline posterior fossa malformations

Elysa Widjaja*, Susan Blaser, Charles Raybaud

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography have been used to evaluate a variety of brain malformations. However, these studies have focused mainly on malformations involving the supratentorial compartments. There is a paucity of data on diffusion tensor imaging of posterior fossa malformations. Objective: To describe the color vector maps and modified or abnormal tracts of midline posterior fossa malformations. Materials and methods: Diffusion tensor imaging was performed in one patient with rhombencephalosynapsis and two with Joubert syndrome. Color vector maps of fractional anisotropy were used to place a region of interest for seed point of fiber tracking. Results: The vermis was severely hypoplastic or absent in rhombencephalosynapsis and Joubert syndrome. In rhombencephalosynapsis, vertically oriented fibers were visualized in the midportion of the cerebellum. The location of the deep cerebellar nuclei could be inferred from the amiculum and were medially located in rhombencephalosynapsis. In the two patients with Joubert syndrome, the horizontally arranged superior cerebellar peduncles were well demonstrated on the color vector maps. Failure of the superior cerebellar peduncles to decussate in the mesencephalon was also well demonstrated on both color vector maps and tractography. The deep cerebellar nuclei were more laterally located in Joubert syndrome. Conclusion: The use of tractography in midline posterior fossa malformations expands our understanding of these malformations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)510-517
Number of pages8
JournalPediatric radiology
Volume36
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2006

Keywords

  • Diffusion tensor imaging
  • Malformations
  • MR
  • Posterior fossa

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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