Morphometry of the internal capsule on MR images in adult healthy individuals

Abstract

Objectives: There is substantial information on the morphometric differences of the pathways passing through the internal capsule according to the dominant extremity; however, the diameters of the internal capsule in the horizontal plane have not been previously evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diameters of parts of the internal capsule (anterior limb, posterior limb and genu) and angle in between these parts in healthy subjects. Methods: MRI images of 80 females and 37 males (age: 18-65) with no obvious intracranial pathology were evaluated. The diameters of the anterior and posterior limb and the genu of the internal capsule and the angle between the anterior and posterior limbs were measured. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in measurements of internal capsule when compared bilaterally in all individuals (p>0.05). The right and left genu angles were significantly wider in females. This angle in the present study was found as 122°, while the classical knowledge reveals it as around 90°. Conclusion: Understanding the normal morphometry of this region may help clinicians in the diagnosis and follow-up of some neurological diseases. Some morphometric characteristics of this region have shown differences from the classical knowledge. Further studies in larger samples should be done for re-evaluating the normal ranges of these morphometric values.

Morphometric changes of white matter structures in the pediatric age group

“…Different pathological conditions affect the morphological structure of the CC, there are also demographic differences such as sex, age, right or left-hand use, and genetic differences [1,3,7,[16][17][18]. Concerning the CI, another white matter structure affected by different pathological conditions, studies have been conducted with different methods such as diffusion tensor tractography, functional MRI, and cadaver studies [13].…”

“…In studies on adults, parameters such as the length and distribution of fibers forming the CI, which is an important region in terms of functional and clinical features, were evaluated, and a study determined that the lateral angulation in the genu region was 120 degrees [13]. There are few studies evaluating the capsula interna morphometry with imaging methods such as diffusion tensor imaging, fMRI, and cadaver dissection, and they are very few [13]. In our study, compared with the morphometric measurements reported in adults, it was found that the measurements were greater in the 0-15 age group and that the lateral angle was 120 degrees, just like in adults [13].…”

“…There are few studies evaluating the capsula interna morphometry with imaging methods such as diffusion tensor imaging, fMRI, and cadaver dissection, and they are very few [13]. In our study, compared with the morphometric measurements reported in adults, it was found that the measurements were greater in the 0-15 age group and that the lateral angle was 120 degrees, just like in adults [13]. Data are indicating that the crus anterior part of the CI and the genu part of the CC were myelinated almost simultaneously as the structures containing axons originating from the same brain region [25].…”

“…It is considered that an analysis of age-related changes in the size and characteristics of the CC can provide information about the processes related to normal or abnormal development [4,12]. Likewise, the CI is an important indicator region to identify neurological diseases at every stage of life and is vital in diagnosing diseases with axonal damage [13]. Considering that neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders may also contribute to the diagnostic stage, we conducted the present study to evaluate the normal growth and development of the CC and CI from childhood to young adulthood with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).…”

Morphometric Analysis of the White Matter Structures in Female Migraine Patients

“…Anterior thalamic radiation and frontopontine tracts from anterior limb, corticonuclear tracts from genu; retrolentiform parts and sublentiform parts are pass through the posterior limb. It is an important indicator place to identify neurological diseases at all stages of life (Turamanlar et al, 2020).…”