Tag: Morphometry

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Flatness of the infratentorial space associated with hemifacial spasm

Flatness of the infratentorial space associated with hemifacial spasm

Acta Neurochir (2016) 158:1405–1412

Whether a difference in morphology of the infratentorial space is associated with hemifacial spasm is not well understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the three-dimensional conformation of the infratentorial space and evaluate any possible contribution of morphological characteristics to the development of neurovascular compression leading to hemifacial spasm.

Methods We enrolled 25 patients with hemifacial spasm and matched them by age and sex to controls. The extent of the three-dimensional axes and the volume of the infratentorial space were measured using image analysis software for three-dimensional MRI.We evaluated the correlation between a morphological difference in the infratentorial space and changes in vascular configuration in the brain stem.

Results We found no statistical difference in volumetric analyses. The mean aspect ratio on the coronal plane (the ratio of the Z to X extent) of the infratentorial space in patients with hemifacial spasm was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that in controls, as was the mean aspect ratio on the sagittal plane (the ratio of Z to Yextent, p <0.01). A smaller sagittal aspect ratio was correlated (p < 0.05) with greater lateral deviation of the basilar artery.

Conclusions Our results suggest that flatness of the superior-inferior dimension of the infratentorial space is an anatomical feature that characterizes patients with hemifacial spasm. We hypothesize that this unique structural variation may exaggerate the lateral deviation of the vertebrobasilar arteries due to arteriosclerosis and exacerbate the space competition among vessels and cranial nerves.

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Aneurysms of the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation: comparison of the morphometric features

Aneurysms of the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation- comparison of the morphometric features

Acta Neurochir (2014) 156:1647–1654

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) located in the posterior circulation are considered to have higher annual bleed rates than those in the anterior circulation. The aim of the study was to compare the morphometric factors differentiating between IAs located in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation.

Methods A total number of 254 IAs diagnosed between 2009 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients qualified for diagnostic, three-dimensional rotational angiography. IAs were assigned to either the anterior or posterior cerebral circulation subsets for the analysis. Means were compared with a t-test. The univariate and stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of morphometric differences between the groups. For the defined predictors, ROC (receiver-operating characteristic) curves and interactive dot diagrams were calculated with the cutoff values of the morphometric factors.

Results The number of anterior cerebral circulation IAs was 179 (70.5 %); 141 (55.5 %) aneurysms were ruptured. Significant differences between anterior and posterior circulation IAs were found for: the parent artery size (5.08±1.8 mm vs. 3.95±1.5mm; p<0.05), size ratio (2.22±0.9 vs. 3.19±1.8; p< 0.045) and aspect ratio (AR) (1.91±0.8 vs. 2.75±1.8; p= 0.02). Predicting factors differentiating anterior and posterior circulation IAs were: theAR (OR=2.20; 95%CI 1.80–270; Is 270 correct or should it be 2.70 and parent artery size (OR= 0.44; 95 % CI 0.38–0.54). The cutoff point in the ROC curve was 2.185 for the AR and 4.89 mm for parent artery size.

Conclusions Aspect ratio and parent artery size were found to be predictive morphometric factors in differentiating between anterior and posterior cerebral IAs.

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Definition of a Stereotactic 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Template of the Human Insula

3D MRI template of the insula

Neurosurgery 72[ONS Suppl 1]:ons35–ons46, 2013

This study proposes a 3-dimensional (3-D) template of the insula in the bicommissural reference system with posterior commissure (PC) as the center of coordinates.

OBJECTIVE: Using the bicommissural anterior commissure (AC)–PC reference system, this study aimed to define a template and design a method for the 3-D reconstruction of the human insula that may be used at an individual level during stereotactic surgery.

METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based morphometric analysis was performed on 100 cerebral cortices with normal insulae based on a 3-step procedure: Step 1: AC-PC reference system–based reconstruction of the insula from the 1-mm thick 3-D T1-weighted MRI slices. Step 2: Digitalization and superposition of the data obtained in the 3 spatial planes. Step 3: Representation of pixels as colors on a scale corresponding to the probability of localization of each insular anatomic component.

RESULTS: The morphometric analysis of the insula confirmed our previously reported findings of a more complex shape delimited by 4 peri-insular sulci. A very significant correlation between the coordinates of the main insular structures and the length of AC-PC was demonstrated. This close correlation allowed us to develop a method that allows the 3-D reconstruction of the insula from MRI slices and only requires the localization of AC and PC. This process defines an area deemed to contain insula with 100% probability.

CONCLUSION: This 3-D reconstruction of the insula should be useful to improve its localization and other cortical areas and allow the differentiation of insular cortex from opercular cortex. KEY WORDS:

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