Study of the Brain Structures Development During Childhood Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

This is a descriptive analytical study, the study population composed of normal brain patients presenting to the Magnetic resonance unit. The study was applied in International Medical Center and Saudi Germen hospitals. Superconducting system Siemens Avanto 1.5 Tesla was used. The cases were confirmed to be normal with the presence of the radiologist during the selection of cases for study. And began during the period extended from July 2016 to July 2018. The reason for the study was noticed that there is no presence of normal measures in children from the age of less than one year up to 15 years old. The objectives of the study were to study the normal dimensions of the cerebellum, cerebrum, pons and tentorium angle as well as to evaluate the gender differences and the age-related changes. Axial, and midsagittal of normal brain MRI scans of 200 subjects (104 were males and 96 were females) were evaluated. The measurements were performed using spin echo sequences the images are T1 weighted sagittal plane (TR 400) (TE 12). And T2 weighted axial plane TR =4500, TE =117. Slice thicknesses =2mm, gap= 5 mm, field of view =20 cm and display matrix= 314 x 448. Measurements were performed to properly measure the children posterior fossa. The study evaluated: (1) The dimensions of the cerebellum for the right and left anteroposterior and transverse at axial plane (2) the cerebrum right and left anteroposterior dimension and transverse diameter at axial plane and (3) the Pons anteroposterior and craniocaudal dimensions as well as the tentorium angle at sagittal plane. The collected data were statistically analyzed by using SPSS program version 16. Student’s t -test was applied for gender comparisons. To determine the associations between age and anatomical structures, Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, Post Hoc test for multiple comparisons was also used. The mean of right and left cerebellum anteroposterior and transverse dimension were found to be 4.67±0.87, 4.60±0.92 and8.68±1.48 cm in respectively. Mean right and left cerebrum anteroposterior and transverse dimension were found to be 13.88±1.91, 13.88±1.91 and 11.61±1.53cm in respectively. The mean of Pons anteroposterior and cranio caudal dimension were found to be 1.47±0.38and3.68±18.74inrespectivelyTheMeantentorialanglewas40.93º±8.68.The study showed that the cerebellum and cerebrum right and left anteroposterior dimensions and transverse diameter were significantly increased with increasing age during the developing period from ages less than 1 year to 15 years old at p=0.027,0.021,0.000 and 0.000,0.000,0.000 In respectively, as well; the Pons anteroposterior diameter was significantly affected with age at p=.033. On the other hand; no significant relationship was found between the Pons craniocaudal diameter/age and the Tentorialangle/age. No significant gender related differences were detected in all the selected variables except the Tentorialangle. New predictive equations for the cerebrum, cerebellum, and pons dimensions were established as standard reference values for subjects with known age ˂ 1year≤15 years old. The study recommended applying these equations in medical radiology departments as reference for the age of study in clinical and for further studies on anatomical structures like ventricals, medallaoblingata, and other.