Advanced

AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

This Article Abstract Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kinoshita, Y. Articles by Yokota, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kinoshita, Y. Articles by Yokota, A.

Volumetric Analysis of the Germinal Matrix and Lateral Ventricles Performed Using MR Images of Postmortem Fetuses

Yoshimasa Kinoshita^,a, Toshio Okudera^a, Eichi Tsuru^a and Akira Yokota^a

^a From the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (Y.K., E.T., A.Y.); and the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Akita Research Institute of Brain and Blood Vessels, Akita, Japan (T.O.).

View larger version (64K): [in a new window]   FIG 1. T1-weighted MR image (left) reconstructed from 3D-SSFP sequence and sagittal H&E-stained photomicrograph (right) of fetal brain at 21 weeks' GA. There is good correlation between the images. Each image reveals the germinal matrix (arrows) and migrating neuroblast layer (arrowheads)

View larger version (86K): [in a new window]   FIG 2. Images show good correlation between macroscopic brain (upper row) and 3D surface-rendered brain (middle row). Germinal matrix (orange), located ventrolateral to the lateral ventricles (blue), extends along the lateral walls of the lateral ventricles (lower row).

View larger version (50K): [in a new window]   FIG 3. Successive images show developmental changes of lateral configuration of brain, germinal matrix, and ventricular system. The brain surfaces (upper row), germinal matrix (middle row, orange), and ventricular system (lower row, blue) of human fetal brain were reconstructed by surface rendering. The volume of the germinal matrix increased until 23 weeks' GA and decreased rapidly at 28 weeks' GA. Note how lateral ventricles change from fetal type, with vesicular aspect and bicornuate shape, to adult type with increasing GA.

View larger version (84K): [in a new window]   FIG 4. Serial coronal MR images of the fetus at 7 weeks' GA. Germinal matrix cannot be detected

View larger version (100K): [in a new window]   FIG 5. Serial coronal MR images of the fetus at 9 weeks' GA. Note germinal matrix is detected ventrolateral to the lateral ventricles (arrow)

View larger version (21K): [in a new window]   FIG 6. Volumetric changes of the fetal brain (open triangles), germinal matrix (open circles), and lateral ventricles (solid circles). Increasing fetal brain volume (gray curve) has an exponential relationship (r2 = .963) to GA, reaching 132.5 cm3 at 28 weeks' GA. The germinal matrix also increases exponentially, reaching a volume of 2.3 cm3 at 23 weeks' GA, then decreases rapidly after 25 weeks' GA. In contrast to the germinal matrix, the volume of the lateral ventricles gradually increases, up to 2.6 cm3 at 23 weeks' GA

View larger version (14K): [in a new window]   FIG 7. Relationship between germinal matrix (open circles), lateral ventricles (solid circles), and brain. It is noteworthy that the volumetric ratio of the germinal matrix to brain volume is constant at about 5% between 11 and 23 weeks' GA