The Utility of the Callosal/Supratentorial-Supracallosal Area Ratio to Evaluate Corpus Callosum Morphometry in Children

Abstract

Objective: To perform morphometric analysis of corpus callosum (CC) by using callosal area (CA), supratentorial-supracallosal area (SSA) and CA/SSA parameters in a healthy pediatric population and to investigate changes according to age and gender. Method: Method: This retrospective study included a total of 313 children (154 boys, 159 girls) aged between 3-17 years. The cases were divided into three groups according to age: 3-6 years (Group 1) (pre-school), 7-12 years (Group 2) (preadolescent) and 13-17 years (Group 3) (adolescent). CA and SSA were measured on the mid-sagittal plane on T1-weighted images. CA/ SSA index was calculated. Differences in age, CA, SSA, and ratio parameters among the gender groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U or the t-test. Results: Median values of CA (p= 0.002), mean values of SSA (p=0.001) and CA/SSA ratios (p= 0.04) were significantly higher in boys compared to girls. The median CA and mean CA/SSA ratios in Group 3 were significantly higher than Groups 1 and 2 (p= 0.001). Mean CA/SSA ratio values of boys and girls in Age Group 3 were significantly higher than Group 1 (p= 0.001) and significantly higher than Age Group 2 in girls. There were highly significant positive correlations of age with CA (p=0.001, r=0.47), SSA (p=0.028, r=0.12) and CA/SSA ratio (p=0.001, r=042). There was a highly significant and positive correlation between CA and SSA (p=0.001, r=0.25) and CA/SSA ratio (p=0.001, r=0.87). Conclusion: CA, SSA, and CA/ SSA ratio values in children are affected by age and gender. These parameters can be used as reference values for the diagnosis of congenital and acquired pathologies affecting the corpus callosum.