Anatomical Characteristics of Cervicomedullary Compression on MRI Scans in Children with Achondroplasia

Abstract

This retrospective study assessed anatomical characteristics of cervicomedullary compression in children with achondroplasia. Twelve anatomical parameters were analyzed (foramen magnum diameter and area; myelon area; clivus length; tentorium and occipital angles; brainstem volume outside the posterior fossa; and posterior fossa, cerebellum, supratentorial ventricular system, intracranial cerebrospinal fluid, and fourth ventricle volumes) from sagittal and transversal T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 37 children with achondroplasia aged ≤ 4 years (median [range] 0.8 [0.1–3.6] years) and compared with scans from 37 children without achondroplasia (median age 1.5 [0–3.9] years). Mann–Whitney U testing was used for between-group comparisons. Foramen magnum diameter and area were significantly smaller in children with achondroplasia compared with the reference group (mean 10.0 vs. 16.1 mm [p 2 [p = 0.005], respectively). The tentorial angle was also steeper in children with achondroplasia (mean 47.6 vs. 38.1 degrees; p p p < 0.05). MRI analysis of brain structures may provide a standardized value to indicate decompression surgery in children with achondroplasia.

Keywords

• achondroplasia
• magnetic resonance imaging
• cervicomedullary compression
• foramen magnum stenosis
• decompression surgery