Normal corpus callosum dimensions in pediatric population and quantitative analysis in magnetic resonance imaging

The corpus callosum is the white matter structure and the largest interhemispheric commissure that connects the brain hemispheres. It enables the brain to perform complex functions such as organizing bimanual motor movements sensing lateralized sensation, cognitive, emotional and social functions. The morphology of the corpus callosum might be affected by congenital and acquired diseases, sex, age, and hand selection. In this study, the thickness of the segments of the corpus callosum and the long axis of the corpus callosum of the healthy pediatric population were measured via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the midsagittal line where the septum pellucidum and massa intermedia can be monitored. In this way, it is aimed to reveal if there are any differences in corpus callosum due to age and gender. Our study was retrospective and the individuals who applied to the Radiology Clinic of Adıyaman University Training and Research Hospital for any reason were investigated. This study only focused on the individuals who have normal range MRI (without contrast) results. Accordingly, 120 males, 120 females, a total of 240 cases were divided into 4 age groups; 0-2 age group, 3-6 age group, 7-11 age group, and 12-17 age group and the thickness of the 5 segments of the corpus callosum (rostrum, genu, corpus isthmus, splenium) and anterior-posterior length of the corpus callosum were measured. Results showed that thicknesses of four segments (genu, corpus, isthmus splenium) except the rostrum and size of long axis of corpus callosum increased significantly with age in both female and male sex. However, when we evaluated the general population without gender discrimination, thickness of all segments of the corpus callosum and size of long axis are observed to increase significantly. Even though there is no significant difference in rostrum thickness between age groups in male and female genders, the reason for the difference in the general population can be explained by increasing the sample width. When comparing between genders, the thickness of genu in the 7-11 age group was measured as 10.58 ± 1.35 mm in the male and was significantly larger than the woman (9.41 ± 1.45 mm). In the 0-2 age group, the thickness of isthmus was 2.74 ± 0.64 mm in males and 2.39 ± 0.72 mm in females and this value was significantly higher in males. Apart from that, we could not find any significant gender differences in other segment thicknesses. Corpus callosum anterior-posterior diameter was observed to increase significantly with age in the general population and measured as 56.71 ± 4.03 mm 60.48 ± 4.86 mm, 63.41 ± 4.87 mm, 67.17 ± 4.87 mm in order of increasing age. In this study, the obtained data from the healthy pediatric population will help to differentiate the abnormal morphological changes of the corpus callosum due to congenital and acquired diseases.