MR volumetric analysis of the human entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices.

PURPOSE Our purpose was to investigate the normal volumes of the human entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices on MR imaging studies using a customized program.

METHODS We designed a protocol in which the volumes of the entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices were determined from coronal MR images using anatomic landmarks defined on the basis of cytoarchitectonic analyses of 49 autopsy cases. MR volumetry of these cortical areas was performed in 52 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS The overall mean volumes were 1768 +/- 328 mm3/1558 +/- 341 mm3 (right/left) for the entorhinal cortex, 2512 +/- 672 mm3/2572 +/- 666 mm3 for the perirhinal cortex, and 2960 +/- 623 mm3/3091 +/- 636 mm3 for the temporopolar cortex. The right entorhinal cortex was 12% larger than the left. The volume of the temporopolar cortex was reduced bilaterally by 13% in the older age group compared with younger subjects, while the volumes of the entorhinal and perirhinal cortices were unaffected by age. There were no differences between men and women in the volumes of any of the three cortices.

CONCLUSION Our method provides a tool by which to measure volumes of the entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices on coronal MR images.