To determine the normal reference values for cerebellar volume and sagittal pons dimensions in pediatric population with routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compare relationships with gender and age. Material and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 120 cases (61 male, 59 female) with normal brain MRI (age range: 0-18 years). The cases were divided into four subgroups based on age as 0-2 years (infants; n=21), 3-6 years (young children; n=35), 7-12 years (children; n=35) and 13-18 years (adolescents; n=29). Demographic data like sex and age were recorded. Cerebellar volumes were calculated with semi-automatic volumetric software. Pons CC and AP dimensions were measured manually. Cerebellar volumes and pons dimensions comparisons were made for gender and age groups. Statistical analysis used the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearsons correlation analysis and Tamhane test. The median cerebellar volumes, pons CC and pons AP dimensions were 103.3 cm3, 20.9 mm, 13.3 mm for infants; 134.4 cm3, 24.6 mm, 15.3 mm for young children; 148.8 cm3, 25.5 mm, 15.6 mm for children; 153 cm3, 26.2 mm, 16 mm for adolescents, respectively. There was no significant difference identified for cerebellar volumes, pons CC and pons AP dimensions between the genders in all age groups. There was a positive significant correlation between age and cerebellar volumes, pons CC and pons AP dimensions. As age group increased, there were significant increases in normal cerebellar volume, pons CC and AP dimensions. Quantitative reference values for normal cerebellar volume, pons CC and AP dimensions were revealed for pediatric population using MRI. These results could be promising for clinical practice in pediatric neurology and/or neuroradiology.
Key words: Adolescent, cerebellar volume, children, magnetic resonance imaging, pediatric, pons
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