Subcortical Alterations in Tissue Microstructure Adjacent to Focal Cortical Dysplasia: Detection at Diffusion-Tensor MR Imaging by Using Magnetoencephalographic Dipole Cluster Localization

Abstract

With use of MEG dipole clusters to localize the epileptogenic zone, diffusion-tensor imaging can help identify alterations in tissue microstructure beyond the MR imaging-visible FCD.

The Arcuate Fasciculus and Language Development in a Cohort of Pediatric Patients with Malformations of Cortical Development

“…Although the work-up has traditionally centered on detecting localized dysplastic abnormalities, patients with MCDs experience a wide range of deficits, which often cannot be explained on the basis of the location of the structural abnormality. [9][10][11][12][13] The cortical structure outside the region of MCD is normal, at least in the sense that it does not demonstrate the same histopathologic abnormalities that characterize a dysplastic cortex. Therefore, the occurrence of such a wide range of functional abnormalities implies the importance of aberrant cortico-cortical interaction or connectivity.…”

Corticospinal tract mapping in children with ruptured arteriovenous malformations using functionally guided diffusion-tensor imaging

“…6,12,13,[15][16][17] Conventional DTI mapping and tractography techniques use anatomically selected seed points within the precentral gyrus to help guide CST reconstruction. However, in children with AVMs, intracerebral hemorrhage or components of the AVM may distort or displace regional brain anatomy, making definition of DTI seed points and fiber tracking more challenging.…”

White Matter Abnormality Correlates with Developmental and Seizure Outcomes in West Syndrome of Unknown Etiology

“…18 DTI is reported to show abnormality in the subcortical and deep white matter subjacent to areas of focal cortical dysplasia. 20 From these observations, the asymmetric abnormal findings on DTI corresponding to areas of PET hypometabolism may represent white matter changes related to the underlying pathology, such as focal cortical dysplasia. In contrast to the reversible FA reduction due to delayed myelination at 12 months of age, abnormal findings on DTI at 24 months of age in patients with poor seizure and developmental outcomes appear to represent persistent microstructural abnormalities.…”

“…[15][16][17] Cortical malformation often affects the underlying white matter and the cortex 18 and could disrupt white matter tracts and cause reductions in anisotropy. 19,20 White matter abnormality could also be attributed to propagation of epileptic activities along white matter tracts. 21 ACTH therapy also possibly affects white matter properties, though we performed DTI Ͼ1 month after the end of ACTH therapy to avoid the effects of ACTH.…”