Morphology and morphometry of foetal corpus callosum using MRI - A retrospective study

Abstract

Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest commissural white fibres interconnecting cerebral hemispheres. The corpus callosum is responsible for interhemispheric transfer of information which is essential for cognitive function. The foetal corpus callosum serves as sensitive indicator for normal brain development and maturation. As the corpus callosum is a part of the highest order latest maturing mental network of the brain, its measurements are important to assess normal brain development and to locate structural changes. A comprehensive evaluation of normal human foetal corpus callosal development is essential to detect and understand the congenital anomalies of the brain. Thus, the prenatal diagnosis of partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum is important for predicting the normal development of the foetus. Foetal neural anomalies that are suspected on prenatal ultrasonography (USG) can be detected in early stage using foetal MRI. This imaging technique is highly useful for detailed visualization of normal neural development. Certain conditions like colpocephaly and widening of interhemispheric fissure can be clearly visualized using foetal MRI when compared to prenatal ultrasonography. Aim and objective: Was to establish the normal reference values for the measurement of foetal corpus callosum. The length and thickness of the foetal CC was measured corresponding to gestational age (GA) between 18-36weeks. Materials and methods: A retrospective MRI study was carried out in Radiology department of Sri Ramachandra Hospital. The study was conducted on 50 pregnant women with GA of 18-32 weeks and morphology of foetal corpus callosum was measured using MRI. The corpus callosum was visualized in a midsagittal plane as an anechoic structure, delimited by two echogenic lines superiorly by sulcus of the corpus callosum and inferiorly by the septum pellucidum. The length of corpus callosum was measured from the anterior most aspect of genu to the posterior most aspect of the splenium and the width of individual parts were measured and correlated with gestational age. The values obtained from the study were statistically calculated using regression coefficient method. Results: In the present study following parameters were observed such as length and width of diverse parts of Corpus callosum. The length of foetal CC ranged from 25.96 to 47.2 mm in 18 to 32 weeks of gestational age. The range of width of rostrum, genu, body and splenium were 1.2 to 2.2 mm, 1.2-2.8mm, 1.3-3.1mm and 1.36-3.2mm respectively. Conclusion: The periodic development of nervous system can be calculated more effectively with the morphometric measurement of foetal CC and its correlation with BPD. It is considered to be accurate than using BPD measurement of head circumference in USG. Hence, with the normative data of foetal CC measurements correlated with gestational age would give us accurate details of neuronal growth rather than measuring biparietal diameter (BPD) alone using USG. This knowledge will be highly helpful for the gynaecologists to predict the abnormal development of the foetus and it is advised to include foetal CC parameters as a one of the tools for early detection of CNS anomalies.