RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Topographic Analysis of the Inferior Parietal Lobule in High-Resolution 3D MR Imaging
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 520
OP 524
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A1417
VO 30
IS 3
A1 I. Kiriyama
A1 H. Miki
A1 K. Kikuchi
A1 S. Ohue
A1 S. Matsuda
A1 T. Mochizuki
YR 2009
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/30/3/520.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent functional MR imaging studies have revealed that the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) supports numerous functions; however, the precise organization of the IPL remains unclear. It has been previously reported that the individual components of the IPL show variable morphologic features; thus, any investigations of IPL function must take into account the variable topography of the IPL. However, it is difficult to understand the topography of the IPL only in transaxial and/or sagittal MR images. We generated volume rendering (VR) images of the brain from high-resolution 3D MR imaging data and analyzed the topography of the IPL.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy volunteers were examined with 1.5T MR imaging, and VR images were generated. Sulcal continuity, sulcal connections, and the gyral pattern of the IPL were investigated.RESULTS: The main sulci and gyri were able to be identified excellently on VR images of all volunteers. One long, continuous postcentral sulcus (postCS) was seen in 47.5% and 40% in the right and left hemisphere, respectively. The frequency with which the postCS connected with the anterior end of the IPS was 72.5% and 75% in the right and left, respectively. The gyral pattern of the IPL showed variable morphology.CONCLUSIONS: VR images can depict the sulcal continuity and connections of the IPL accurately. VR imaging is a very useful noninvasive technique to observe the topography of the IPL and should contribute to the investigation of functional localization.