A preliminary single case magnetic resonance imaging investigation into maxillary frontal-parietal manipulation and its short-term effect upon the intercranial structures of an adult human brain.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hypothesis that external cranial manipulation can cause change within the structures of the human brain.


METHODS
Single subject.


METHODS
Private office.


METHODS
A 42-yr-old man.


METHODS
MRI scan was administered without manipulative pressure but with the investigator's contacts on the test subjects maxillary palate and frontal/parietal region surrounding the bregma.


RESULTS
Measurements were taken along the superior border of the corpus callosum, the width of the fornix column, the exposed anterior/superior wall of the lateral ventricle posterior to the fornix, the angular surface of the cerebellar central lobule and the posterior surface of the inferior colliculi.


RESULTS
Results from the second MRI (administered during the application of external cranial pressure) demonstrated elimination of a 5-mm peak along the superior border of the corpus callosum and a 4-mm reduction in the width of the fornix column. The exposed anterior/superior wall of the lateral ventricle posterior to the fornix column increased 51 degrees cephalad with manipulative application. The angular surface of the central lobule altered by minus 26 degrees, and the posterior surface of the inferior colliculi varied by minus 7 degrees. The subject experienced no change in his asymptomatic condition as a result of this study.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study supports the theory that external cranial manipulation affects the structure of the brain. It also suggests support for the theory regarding suture mobility.
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D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic / Q000379:methods*; D012886:Skull / Q000502:physiology*