Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology - Volume 2, issue 1

Authors: Cecil, Kim M.

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13042

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-1, 2013

Authors: Cecil, Kim M. | Beckwith, Travis

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: The objective of this article is to provide some basic concepts of the magnetic resonance techniques and approaches cited in articles included this special issue focusing on white matter for the Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology.

Keywords: Relaxometry, voxel based morphometry, magnetization transfer imaging, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13043

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 3-15, 2013

Authors: Kline-Fath, Beth M. | Tkach, Jean | Merhar, Stephanie

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Understanding the pathophysiology, imaging and correlative preterm outcome of white matter ischemic injury is important to improve neonatal clinical practices and to support preventative therapies. This article will focus on these topics in an attempt to provide greater understanding of premature white matter disease in this fragile age group.

Keywords: Prematurity, oligodendrocytes, magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13044

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 17-32, 2013

Authors: Cecil, Kim M. | Lindquist, Diana M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: The term leukodystrophy reflects diseases that are both progressive and genetically determined arising from a gene defect that manages production or metabolism of exclusively one component of myelin. These defects cause imperfect growth, development or maintenance of myelin sheaths. The magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic features of six primary leukodystrophies are described and illustrated in this review. This includes Alexander disease, Canavan’s disease, Childhood ataxia with central nervous system hypomyelination, Leukoencephalopathy with brain-stem and spinal cord involvement and elevated white matter lactate, Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Keywords: Brain, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, leukodystrophy, white matter disease, neuron, axons, myelin

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13045

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 33-45, 2013

Authors: Cecil, Kim M. | Lindquist, Diana M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Lysosomes are organelles within a cell responsible for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris. There are approximately forty known inherited disorders with primary lysosomal defects affecting the metabolism of lipids, glycoproteins, and mucopolysaccharides. Peroxisomes are organelles within a cell that are responsible for the biosynthesis of membrane phospholipids (plasmalogens), cholesterol, and bile acids, conversion of amino acids into glucose, oxidation of fatty acids, reduction of hydrogen peroxide by catalases, and prevention of excess oxalate synthesis. Lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders can produce leukodystrophies. Magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy can provide important information in evaluating patients with concern …for a possible inherited metabolic disorder, initially by narrowing the differential diagnosis of patients with suspected leukodystrophies and subsequently by monitoring disease progression. Lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders can be challenging, as some phenotypes may represent residual cellular activity of the organelle and initially present with normal imaging. However, the goal of the authors in this article is to provide an overview of known lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders producing leukodystrophies. In this article, we discuss the imaging features of three lysosomal disorders and four peroxisomal disorders, respectively, which can also be classified as leukodystrophies. Show more

Keywords: Brain, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, leukodystrophy, white matter disease, neurons, axons, myelin, organelle, lysosome, peroxisome

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13046

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 47-55, 2013

Authors: Tillema, Jan-Mendelt | Hopkins, Sarah | Rodriguez, Moses | Leach, James L.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Acquired central nervous system demyelinating disease is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to neurologic morbidity in the pediatric population. Recent consensus definitions of the spectrum of acquired demyelinating disorders as well as important discoveries in immunology and imaging have produced an improved understanding of these conditions. Neuroimaging plays a central role in the accurate diagnosis, follow-up, and research efforts in this patient population. A review of the imaging spectrum of acquired demyelinating disease in children is provided, based upon current consensus definitions, along with imaging recommendations, differential diagnostic considerations, and a brief summary of clinical presentations and treatment options.

Keywords: Pediatric, multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, MRI

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13047

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 57-72, 2013

Authors: Hayes, Laura L. | Cecil, Kim M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: This article discusses some of the most commonly encountered compounds producing toxic leukoencephalopathies in infants, children and adolescents: opioids, methanol, ethylene glycol, carbon monoxide, and inhalants such as toluene, medications including methotrexate, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus. Toxic effects on white matter can produce a varied appearance on neuroimaging. The diagnosis of toxic leukoencephalopathies can be made by careful attention to the history, presentation, and neuroradiological findings.

Keywords: MRI, opioids, methanol, ethylene glycol, carbon monoxide, toluene, methotrexate, cyclosporine

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13048

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 73-86, 2013

Authors: Palasis, Susan

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: White matter (WM) injury is increasingly recognized as central to the impact on the quality of life of patients with all severity levels of traumatic brain injury. It can be the determinant of death or persistent disability. This article reviews the characteristics of the developing brain in relation to trauma, the primary and secondary phases of WM injury, and advanced magnetic resonance techniques in the evaluation of brain trauma. Special emphasis is placed on non-accidental trauma and sports-related WM injury, respectively.

Keywords: Diffuse axonal injury, non-accidental trauma, sports-related white matter injury, diffusion tensor imaging, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13049

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 87-96, 2013

Authors: Beckwith, Travis | Cecil, Kim M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: This article reviews the literature for neuroimaging features found in the pediatric population associated with infectious processes, specifically those with bacterial, fungal and parasitic origins. Magnetic resonance imaging is performed in patients with infectious and inflammatory disorders to further characterize involvement, especially within the white matter, assess for ischemia or poor response to pharmacologic therapy in a worsening clinical presentation, and assess for complications.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus, enterovirus 71, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex, human immunodeficiency virus, rubella, abscess, neurocysticercosis, toxoplasmosis

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13050

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 97-108, 2013

Authors: Lindquist, Diana M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: This article reviews the reports of white matter abnormalities in several psychiatric disorders. Volumetric differences found by voxel-based morphometry or region-of-interest analysis of structural magnetic resonance imaging studies are described. Abnormalities in the diffusion metrics, primarily fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity, from diffusion tensor imaging studies are also summarized. The consensus is that there are widespread abnormalities in white matter in psychiatric disorders, but no particular region has been identified as specific to any one disease. Instead, these diseases seem to impact commonly the corpus callosum and superior longitudinal fasciculus, as well as several other connecting tracts. Neuroimaging has provided …significant insights into the aberrant white matter in these diseases, but more work is required to understand the timing, progression, and underlying pathophysiology of these abnormalities. Show more

Keywords: White matter, voxel-based morphometry, diffusion tensor imaging, psychiatric disorders, schizophrenia, depression, autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance use

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13051

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 109-118, 2013

Authors: Yuan, Weihong | McAllister, James P. | Mangano, Francesco T.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Hydrocephalus (HCP) is a severe pathologic condition in which the ventricular system enlarges in response to abnormal cerebrospinal fluid production and absorption mechanisms. While accumulating evidence implicates damage to various white matter (WM) structures as one of the major neurobiological mechanisms underlying poor behavioral outcomes in children with HCP, current evaluation of such damage remains limited. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a unique magnetic resonance technique that exploits differences in the diffusion properties of water molecules in different tissue. Anisotropic diffusion properties, as measured by DTI, are strongly influenced by the micro-structural components of WM and thus can help to …assess the properties in tissue constituents, tissue microstructure and cytoarchitecture. Initial clinical studies have shown that DTI is a sensitive imaging tool for investigating WM damage as well as the extent of recovery in HCP. A key study has shown that the periventricular WM and corona radiata in children between 12–18 years exhibited increased pre-operative fractional anisotropy (FA) driven by a slightly increased axial diffusivity and a more dramatic decreased radial diffusivity. Post-operatively the FA in these regions returned to normal in most patients. In contrast, the corpus callosum was found to have low FA pre-operatively which did not respond to cerebrospinal fluid diversion surgery. A more recent study reported a similar lower FA and higher mean diffusivity in the corpus callosum in infants. However, the abnormalities in the internal capsule were found to be more heterogeneous. Longitudinal study showed that most DTI measurements returned to normal post-operatively. In experimental studies, similar abnormalities in DTI were found in both neonatal and infantile rats with induced HCP. These findings correlated with increased astrocyte and microglial reactivity and reduced myelination. This review also discusses interpretations regarding the different patterns of DTI abnormalities seen in HCP in different WM regions. Overall, support is growing for DTI as a useful non-invasive imaging tool in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus. Show more

Keywords: Hydrocephalus, diffusion tensor imaging, corpus callosum, internal capsule, cerebral spinal fluid

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13052

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 119-128, 2013

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/PNR-13053

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 129-129, 2013