Objective
Measurement of a component within the reference value is a widely used parameter in Biomedical Science. This study highlights the value of morphometric changes in healthy individuals’ brainstem structure and their application in the detection and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders.
Methods
This retrospective study included magnetic resonance (MR) images of 50 healthy individuals without neurological diseases, 35 clinically diagnosed individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 12 individuals with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Measurements of midbrain area, pons area, ratio of midbrain to pons area, superior profile of midbrain, thickness of substantia nigra (SN), cerebral crus width, interpeduncular distance, and concavity of the crus were analysed as per the standard protocol.
Results
Patients with PD had mean anteroposterior diameter of 1.11 ± 0.1 cm, which was more than the control group and PSP patients. Additionally, PSP patients showed the least midbrain and pons area of 1.06 ± 0.34 and 4.01 ± 1.2 sq.cm, respectively, compared to other groups. The ratio of midbrain to pons area was the least among PSP patients (0.21 ± 0.06 cm). Mean thickness of the right and left middle cerebellar peduncles (1.25 ± 0.19 and 1.24 ± 0.17 cm) was less in the PD group. The width of the SN gradually reduced in PD and more so in PSP patients. The convex superior profile of the midbrain was a consistent feature in all groups.
Conclusion
This study highlights the value of morphometrics of the brainstem profile in differentiating neurodegenerative diseases among aged, healthy individuals when combined with their clinical data.
Objectives: A detailed knowledge about the anatomy of the femoropatellar groove (FPG) and its articulation is essential for the better understanding of the patellar stability. Therefore, the present study was carried out to describe the morphology of FPG in adults and the pattern of its growth in fetuses. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven adult dry femora of unknown age and 24 fetal femora of known gestational age were included in the study. The dimensions of FPG and its angulations were calculated digitally using Image J software and were analyzed statistically. Results: The femoropatellar angulation ranged from 136.38° to 142.38°. The dimensions and angulation were correlated with the gestational age. The dimensions of FPG and the altitude of lower end of the femur increased significantly with the gestational age (P<0.05). There was also a significant negative correlation between the femoropatellar angulation and the gestational age (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study provides a database for the parameters of the adult femora. It also describes the pattern of growth of the lower end of fetal femur. These findings are essential in determining the patellar stability during walking.
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