Ectopic peripontine arcuate fibres, a novel finding in pontine tegmental cap dysplasia.
BACKGROUND
Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia (PTCD) is a recently described hindbrain malformation presenting hypoplasia of the ventral pons, and a "pontine tegmental cap". Previous DTI studies identified ectopic transversely oriented nerve fibres in the cap, and absence of transverse fibre bundles in the ventral pons, characterizing PTCD as an embryonic axon guidance defect. A new case with relatively mild symptoms was investigated to identify fibre tracts in the tegmental cap by tracking their connections. In the process a new bilateral ectopic fibre tract was found.


METHODS
Routine T1- and T2 weighted images and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data were obtained on a 3 T MR scanner. Fractional Anisotropy maps colour coded for orientation were generated. High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging (HARDI) data were used for reconstructing maps denoting multiple fibre orientations (i.e. fibre crossings) per voxel through which accurate fibre tracking was performed.
Peripontine arcuate fibres were identified, representing a second structural abnormality not previously recorded in PTCD.
Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Matthan W A
MW
Caan
Department of Pediatric Neurology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Peter G
PG
Barth
Department of Pediatric Neurology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jikke-Mien
JM
Niermeijer
Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Charles B
CB
Majoie
Department of Pediatric Neurology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: b.t.pollthe@amc.uva.nl.
Bwee Tien
BT
Poll-The
D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D054220:Malformations of Cortical Development / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D011149:Pons / Q000473:pathology*
Axon guidance; Brainstem malformation; DTI; Fibretracking; MRI; Radiology