Abnormalities of the corpus callosum: Magnetic resonance imaging analysis in children

Purpose: This study reports the clinical profile of children with abnormalities of the corpus callosum in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and methods: Children with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), hypoplasia, and dysgenesis were identified in a database of patients at the Department of Pediatric Radiology. Medical records were then systematically reviewed. Twenty brain MRI scans of children with abnormalities of the corpus callosum were chosen randomly and retrospectively analyzed. We also analyzed age, gender, motor development, mental development, epilepsy, and concomitant disorders. Results: The study group was composed of 20 children with various disorders (11 girls, 9 boys). The ages of the children ranged from 4 months to 17 years, with a mean age of 9.8 years. Almost all children were born at term. More than half of patients 11(55%) had ACC, 6 children had hypoplasia of the corpus callosum hypoplasia and 3 patients had an absence of genu of the corpus callosum or splenium. Nine children had mental retardation. Four patients had hydrocephalus and two had meningomyelocele, while two patients had Dandy-Walker syndrome and one had holo-prosencephaly. Three patients had headache. One patient had tics syndrome and one Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Fifteen children had normal motor development, with three using a wheelchair, and two unable to sit and walk. Three patients had epilepsy. Conclusion: A spectrum of clinical presentations is apparent in children with abnormalities of the corpus callosum.