Characterization of the Corpus Callosum Morphology in Healthy Sudanese Adults using MRI

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the morphological differences of the corpus callosum (CC) concerning gender- and age-related variations, and establish reference values of the CC measurements for Sudanese participants using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: MRI scans from 196 males and 189 females, ranging in age from 18 to 84, were reviewed. Only MRI studies without pathological findings were included in the analysis. The following measurements were done: the longitudinal dimensions of the brain, CC, the genu of CC, the splenium of CC, as well as craniocaudal height of the body of CC. Callosal longitudinal dimensions were measured using the Witelson division method. The longitudinal dimension of the genu was found to be larger in females (11.12±1.54 mm) than in males (10.73±1.75 mm) (P=0.021). The longitudinal dimension of the brain was greater in males (161.6±7.2 mm) than in females (159.3±7.6 mm) (P=0.002). There was a weak statistically significant direct correlation between age and CC ratio (r=0.271, P<0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that only the genu length showed sexual dimorphism and was larger in females than in males. This study showed variabilities regarding the CC dimensions in Sudanese participants compared to the Caucasian, Indian, and Japanese population.

Keywords

• corpus callosum
• gender
• age
• magnetic resonance imaging
• sudanese population