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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

Published ahead of print on April 22, 2009
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1577

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 30:1302-1307, August 2009
© 2009 American Society of Neuroradiology

PEDIATRICS

Volume-Based Morphometry of Brain MR Images in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Healthy Control Subjects

L. Shi^a, D. Wang^b, W.C.W. Chu^a, R.G. Burwell^d, B.J.C. Freeman^e, P.A. Heng^b and J.C.Y. Cheng^c

^a Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
^b Computer Science and Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
^c Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
^d Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham, UK
^e Department of Spinal Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia

Please address correspondence to Prof. Winnie C.W. Chu, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong; e-mail: winnie{at}med.cuhk.edu.hk

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity with unknown cause. Previous studies have suggested that subclinical neurologic abnormalities are associated with AIS. The objective of this prospective study was to characterize systematically neuroanatomic changes in patients with left thoracic AIS vs right thoracic AIS and healthy control subjects by using volume-based morphometry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our current study involved 9 girls with left thoracic AIS and 20 girls with right thoracic AIS vs 11 and 17 matched female control subjects, respectively. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM), deformation-based morphometry (DBM), and tensor-based morphometry (TBM) were used to analyze the MR images aligned with a specific brain template of local adolescent girls. The statistical t test was used in VBM and TBM, and the Hotelling T² test was applied in DBM.

RESULTS: Using VBM, we found statistically significant differences (P < .05) in the white matter attenuation of the genu of the corpus callosum and left internal capsule (left thoracic AIS < control subjects). In contrast, no significant differences were observed between patients with right thoracic AIS and control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: White matter attenuation in the corpus callosum and left internal capsule, responsible for interhemispheric communication and conduit of the corticothalamic projectional fibers, respectively, were found to be significantly lower in left thoracic AIS compared with control subjects; however, this was not the case in right thoracic AIS. Confirmation of the findings is required in future research, which needs to evaluate the relationship of white matter abnormality to curve laterality, pathogenesis, and prognosis in patients with AIS, with biologic significance and possible therapeutic correction.