Morphometric Shape Analysis of Corpus Callosum in Children With Down Syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation and delay in neurocognitive functions. Herein, we analyzed the morphometric shape of the corpus callosum (CC) in children with DS. Twenty-three DS cases underwent magnetic resonance imaging and have grossly normal CC, and 23 control group cases were included in this retrospective study (2012-2020). The CC was obtained from T2-weighted mid-sagittal images, and certain anatomical points were marked on the CC. Statistical geometric shapes and deformations of CC were evaluated for both groups. The age range of patients with DS and control group was 6 to 42 months. A statistically significant difference was found in the shape of CC between the groups (P < .001). Deformation was most evident in the splenium in the DS group.

Corpus callosum in schizophrenia with deficit and non-deficit syndrome: a statistical shape analysis.

BACKGROUND: The corpus callosum (CC) is the most targeted region in the cerebrum that integrates cognitive data between homologous areas in the right and left hemispheres. AIMS: Our study used statistical analysis to determine whether there was a correlation between shape changes in the CC in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) (deficit syndrome (DS) and non-deficit syndrome (NDS)) and healthy control (HC) subjects. METHODS: This study consisted of 27 HC subjects and 50 schizophrenic patients (20 with DS and 30 with NDS). 3 patients with DS and 4 patients with NDS were excluded. Three-dimensional, sagittal, T1-spoiled, gradient-echo imaging was used. Standard anatomical landmarks were selected and marked on each image using specific software. RESULTS: As to comparing the Procrustes mean shapes of the CC, statistically significant differences were observed between HC and SZ (DS+NDS) (p=0.017, James's Fj=73.732), HC and DS (p<0.001, James's Fj=140.843), HC and NDS (p=0.006, James's Fj=89.178) and also DS and NDS (p<0.001, James's Fj=152.967). Shape variability in the form of CC was 0.131, 0.085, 0.082 and 0.086 in the HC, SZ (DS+NDS), DS and NDS groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals callosal shape variations in patients with SZ and their DS and NDS subgroups that take into account the CC's topographic distribution.

Superb Microvascular Imaging in Assessment of Synovitis and Tenosynovitis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in assessment of synovitis/tenosynovitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis in comparison to power Doppler ultrasound. Thirty juvenile idiopathic arthritis cases with active clinical findings and ultrasound features of effusion and/or tenosynovitis were further imaged with power Doppler and SMI. For classification of synovial inflammation, a semiquantitative scale (4 points) adopted by Outcome Measures in Rheumatology was used.A total of 35 knee, 2 hip, 2 ankle, 2 wrist, 2 elbow joints, and 6 flexor hallucis longus/tibialis posterior tenosynovitis were assessed. In knee joint, power Doppler and SMI scales were the same for 23 (65.7%) joints, SMI upgraded scale from 0 to 2 in single joint (2.9%); 1 to 2 (14.3%) in 5 joints; and 2 to 3 (17.1%) in 6 joints. For other joints, power Doppler and SMI scales were the same for 5 (62.5%) joints. Superb microvascular imaging upgraded scale from 1 to 2 (25%) in 2 joints and 1 to 3 (12.5%) in a single joint. For flexor hallucis longus/tibialis posterior tenosynovitis, power Doppler and SMI scales were the same for two cases (33.3%). Superb microvascular imaging upgraded scale from 0 to 2 in two cases (33.3%); and 2 to 3 (33.3%) in 2 cases. There was no case of SMI scale downgraded compared with power Doppler scale.Superb microvascular imaging is a feasible technique in the assessment of synovial inflammation and tenosynovitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Superb microvascular imaging has higher sensitivity compared with power Doppler ultrasound in depiction of increased vascularity.

Diagnostic utility of superb microvascular imaging in depiction of corkscrew collaterals in Buerger's disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corkscrew collaterals in Buerger's disease by superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU). METHODS: We evaluated with SMI and PDU 14 patients with Buerger's disease in whom corkscrew collaterals had been identified on digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Corkscrew collaterals were classified on DSA and PDU based on their size and morphology. RESULTS: A total of 17 vascular regions of collateral vessel formation were assessed. Based on DSA classification, there were three cases of type I collaterals (arterial diameter of >2 mm with large helical pattern), seven cases of type III collaterals (arterial diameter of 1-1.5 mm with small helical pattern), and seven cases of type IV collaterals (arterial diameter of <1 mm with tiny helical pattern). On PDU, all type I collaterals on DSA appeared as "large snake" images, all type III collaterals on DSA appeared as "small snake" images, and all type IV collaterals on DSA appeared as dots. SMI imaging, both in color and monochrome mode, provided superior demonstration of the continuity of the vessel of large or small "snake" images. In cases appearing as dot pattern on PDU, color SMI was able to show continuity of the flow signal as a helical pattern. DISCUSSION: SMI is a promising new Doppler imaging technique that is superior to conventional power Doppler imaging in depiction and identification of corkscrew collaterals in Buerger's disease.

Statistical shape analysis of corpus callosum in restless leg syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to investigate corpus callosum shape differences between restless leg syndrome patients and healthy controls, and to determine whether disease severity and duration are indicators for corpus callosum deformation in RLS patients. METHODS: This study was conducted using the magnetic resonance imaging scans of 33 restless leg syndrome patients and 33 control subjects. Landmarks were marked on the digital images and callosal landmark coordinate data were used to assess shape difference by performing Generalized Procrustes analysis. The shape deformation from controls to the patients was evaluated performing the Thin Plate Spline approach. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant shape difference between the groups. Highest deformation was determined at the posterior midbody of the corpus callosum. Growth curve analyses showed that with the increase in disease duration and severity, the CC size decreased. DISCUSSION: The present study demonstrated callosal shape differences in restless leg syndrome using a landmark-based geometric morphometric approach, considering the topographic distribution of corpus callosum for the first time.

Congenital arteriovenous fistula between descending aorta and the left innominate vein.

Thoracic aortocaval fistulae are rare entities where a direct shunt between thoracic arteries and systemic veins is seen. They can be traumatic or congenital in origin. Congenital thoracic aortocaval fistulae usually involve descending aorta and azygos, hemiazygos systems. Presenting symptoms range from continuous murmur to signs of congestive heart failure. In this case report, imaging findings of a 3-year-old girl referred for continuous murmur over the left sternal border are presented. Computed tomography angiography revealed multiple tortuous vessels along the descending aorta with a course toward the left brachiocephalic vein, and was suspicious for an aorta-venous fistula. Subsequent digital subtraction angiography for treatment planning showed a fistula originating at the level of the left 6th intercostal artery, with direct drainage into the left brachiocephalic vein without involvement of the azygos/hemiazygos system.