Effectiveness of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in the Microstructural Evaluation of Corpus Callosum and Brain Parenchyma in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type I

Abstract

Objective: To compare tractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values obtained from corpus callosum (CC), basal ganglion, thalamus, frontal and parietal white matter in NF1 patients compared to the control group and to investigate the correlation with CC volume.

Methods: Thirty three cases diagnosed with NF1 and 21 healthy control groups were included in the study. CC volume was measured in both groups. Using tensor imaging (DTI), MD and FA values were calculated from CC genu and splenium, globus pallidum, caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus, parietal and frontal white matter.

Results: CC volume increased significantly in cases with NF1. There was a significant difference in MD and FA values obtained from CC genu and splenium compared to the control group. MD values obtained from frontal and parietal white matter, globus pallidum, putamen, thalamus and caudate nucleus were significantly higher than the control group. FA values decreased in caudate nucleus and putamen while FA values in globus pallidum were higher than control group. There was a negative correlation between CC volume and MD values obtained from KK splenium, putamen, thalamus and caudate nucleus

Conclusion: Increased MD in areas of involvement in NF1 cases can be explained by impaired myelination and demyelination. Heterogeneity in FA values suggests that it is caused by microstructural differences resulting from the breakdown of myelin sheaths or axonal disruption in different locations of the brain. In cases with NF1, DTI findings will help us to understand the occurrence of the disease and the physiopathology of clinical findings in more detail.