title: Degenerative changes of the corticospinal tract in pediatric patients showing deteriorated motor function: A diffusion tensor tractography study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We attempted to demonstrate the corresponding degenerative changes of the affected corticospinal tract (CST) in pediatric patients with deteriorated motor function using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited three pediatric patients (corrected age: 2, 6 and 47 months, respectively) who showed impaired motor function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DTT in each patient showed interruption of the CSTs of the hemisphere contralateral to the side of motor impairment. Despite motor impairment and abnormal DTT findings, none of the three patients received rehabilitative therapy. The patients (corrected age: 9, 53 and 59 months, respectively) and their parents visited our clinic again due to deterioration of motor functions. Follow-up DTT of all evaluated patients showed significant degenerative changes in the affected CSTs in accordance with the aggravation of motor impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We presented degenerative changes of the affected CSTs in pediatric patients according to the deterioration of motor function.
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , College of Medicine, Yeungnam University , Taegu , Republic of Korea .
authors: Min Cheol
authors: MC
authors: Chang
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , College of Medicine, Yeungnam University , Taegu , Republic of Korea .
authors: Sung Ho
authors: SH
authors: Jang
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , College of Medicine, Yeungnam University , Taegu , Republic of Korea .
authors: Jeong Pyo
authors: JP
authors: Seo
authors: b Department of Pediatrics , College of Medicine, Yeungnam University , Taegu , Republic of Korea , and.
authors: Eusil
authors: E
authors: Lee
authors: b Department of Pediatrics , College of Medicine, Yeungnam University , Taegu , Republic of Korea , and.
authors: Saeyoon
authors: S
authors: Kim
authors: c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
authors: Yu Hui
authors: YH
authors: Won
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , College of Medicine, Yeungnam University , Taegu , Republic of Korea .
authors: Su Min
authors: SM
authors: Son
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Cerebral palsy; corticospinal tract; degeneration; diffusion tensor; rehabilitation