title: High-resolution 3-T MR imaging of the temporal part of the caudate tail in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate the high-resolution 3-T MRI appearance and morphological variation of the temporal part of the caudate tail in pediatric subjects with normal brain MR examinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred pediatric patients were retrospectively evaluated using a high-resolution 3-T imaging protocol. Different morphological parameters including shape, size, and symmetry were evaluated. The appearance and shape of the caudate tail were classified into nodular, linear, or imperceptible. The location and relation of the caudate tail to the temporal horn and adjacent brain parenchyma were categorized. Relationships between age, gender, shape, location, side, and the cross-sectional area of the caudate tail were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The caudate tail was imperceptible in 22 %, had a nodular shape in 66.5 %, and was flat in 11.5 %. There was asymmetry of the caudate tail between the two sides in 37 % of subjects. The caudate tail was completely embedded within the temporal lobe parenchyma in 8.3 %, completely protruding into the temporal horn in 27.5 %, or intermediate in 64.1 %. The mean cross-sectional area of the caudate tail was constant across ages despite the varied age range of the subjects. There was no difference in overall mean cross-sectional area of the caudate tail between the two sides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a wide variation in the appearance of the caudate tail adjacent to the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle. Identification of anatomical variation of the caudate tail may prevent potential diagnostic pitfalls, especially with respect to subependymal heterotopia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 324 S 34th Street, Wood 2115, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Seyed Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nabavizadeh
authors.forename: Arastoo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vossough
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values
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