Download PDF
Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2006; 04(01): 027-031
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557292
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Unidentified bright objects in neurofibromatosis type 1: Results of diffusion tensor imaging in children and adolescents

Hans-Joachim Mentzel
a   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
,
Demet Karadag
a   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
b   Department of Radiology, Kirikkale Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital, Kirikkale, Turkiye
,
Daniel Güllmar
a   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
,
Ulrike Löbel
a   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
,
Jürgen R. Reichenbach
a   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
,
Jan Sedlacik
a   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
,
Jörg Seidel
c   Department of Pediatric Neurology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
,
Ulrich Brandl
c   Department of Pediatric Neurology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
,
Werner A. Kaiser
a   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

23 July 2005

09 September 2005

Publication Date:
29 July 2015 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

To evaluate by means of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) if changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and diffusion tensor fraction anisotropy (FA) in unidentified bright objects (UBOs) and perilesional normal appearing brain regions of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) can be observed. Ten children with NF1 underwent conventional magnetic resonance imaging and DTI. The ADC and FA in UBOs and perilesional normal appearing brain of NF1 patients were compared with the same regions of the brain of controls. The ADC increased significantly for UBOs and surrounding normal appearing brain tissue of the brain in children with NF1. We observed no significant differences in FA between the UBOs and perilesional areas or that of controls. Although there is limited neuropathologic information about UBOs, detection of diffusion properties of UBOs can be used to understand tissue characteristics of UBOs, noninvasively.

Keywords

Diffusion tensor imaging - fraction anisotropy - apparent diffusion coefficient - neurofibromatosis - unknown bright objects - phacomatoses