Detecting the Shape Differences of the Corpus Callosum in Behçet's Disease by Statistical Shape Analysis

Statistical Shape Analysis of Cerebellum in Patients With Chiari Malformation I

The surgical procedure is viewed as a typical treatment choice for patients with Chiari malformation (CM). Decompression is the preferred method for surgery, but it is not always possible to understand whether decompression has been successful especially in an early period. The present study focuses on investigating the shape differences in the cerebellums of Chiari patients compared with healthy controls, and to assess the clinical application of this situation whether if present. The MRI scans were reviewed retrospectively. Cerebellar data were obtained from the digital images and 9 anthropometric landmarks were marked on each image. Shape difference was assessed by performing Generalized Procrustes analysis. The cerebellar shape deformation from control to the patient was evaluated performing the Thin Plate Spline approach. There is a statistically significant cerebellar shape difference between groups. Highest deformation was determined at the cerebellar tonsillar inferior area, posterior of the uvula, and anterior of inferior medullary velum. The present study demonstrated cerebellar shape differences in CM I patients using a landmark-based geometric morphometric approach, considering the topographic distribution of cerebellum for the first time.

Geometric morphometrics reveal altered corpus callosum shape in pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the features and maturational changes in overall callosal shape in patients with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE).

METHODS

Measurements were conducted through landmark-based geometric morphometrics applied on cerebral MRIs of patients with PDE and age-matched control subjects. The outline of the corpus callosum was manually traced in the midsagittal plane. Three hundred semi-landmarks along the outline were collected and underwent statistical generalized Procrustes analysis. An allometric regression was applied to evaluate the callosal shape due to growth over time.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients with PDE and 38 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included. Mean age at the time of the MRI in the patient group was 9.3 years (median 6.3 years, range 0.01-48 years). Significant differences (p < 0.01) in the mean callosal shape between patients and controls were found. The allometric regression model revealed significant shape variations (p < 0.01) between the 2 study groups across the developmental course after controlling for the effect of callosal size on shape. This latter effect turned out to be significant as well (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PDE show an altered callosal shape and variations in callosal ontogeny, which are likely secondary to the underlying genetic defect with abnormal function of antiquitin, the product of the ALDH7A1 gene.

The evaluation of vertebrobasilar artery system in neuro-Behçet and Behçet disease using magnetic resonance angiography

The aim of this study is the evaluation of the vertebrobasilar artery system in patients with Behçet's and Neuro-Behçet's disease. For this aim; 20 adults with clinically diagnosed Behcet's disease, 20 adults with Neuro-Behçet's disease, and 19 age- and gender-matched controls were examined by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). During MRA, diameters of left vertebral artery (LVA), right vertebral artery (RVA), basilar artery (BA), and proximal segment (P1) of posterior cerebral artery between origin and junction with the posterior communicating artery were measured. In all groups, LVA was dominant than RVA (P < 0.05). The diameters of BA and right P1 of Neuro-Behçet's disease were larger than the other groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the diameters of left P1 of Neuro-Behçet's disease were larger but not statistically significant. There is no difference between the groups in terms of gender. Behçet's disease can affect vascular structures; therefore vertebrobasilar artery system should be examined in patients with Behçet's and Neuro-Behçet's disease.