Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MRDTI) of the optic nerve and optic radiations at 3T in children with neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1)

Christopher G. Filippi, Aaron Bos, Joshua P. Nickerson, Michael B. Salmela, Chris J. Koski, Keith A. Cauley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Optic pathway glioma (OPG) is a characteristic hallmark of neurofibromatosis type I (NF-I). Objective To evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MRDTI) at 3T to detect abnormalities of the optic nerves and optic radiations in children with NF-I. Materials and methods 3-T MRDTI was prospectively performed in 9 children with NF-I (7 boys, 2 girls, average age 7.8 years, range 3-17 years) and 44 controls (25 boys, 19 girls, average age 8.1 years, range 3-17 years). Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity were determined by region-of-interest analysis for the optic nerves and radiations. Statistical analysis compared controls to NF-I patients. Results Two NF-I patients had bilateral optic nerve gliomas, three had chiasmatic gliomas and four had unidentified neurofibromatosis objects (UNOs) along the optic nerve pathways. All NF-I patients had statistically significant decreases in FA and elevations in mean diffusivity in the optic nerves and radiations compared to age-matched controls. Conclusion MRDTI can evaluate the optic pathways in children with NF-I. Statistically significant abnormalities were detected in the diffusion tensor metrics of the optic nerves and radiations in children with NF-I compared to age-matched controls.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)168-174
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Radiology
Volume42
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 3-T MR
  • Children
  • Diffusion tensor imaging
  • Neurofibromatosis type 1
  • Optic nerve pathway

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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