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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The importance of accurate anatomic assessment for the volumetric analysis of the amygdala

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Author(s):
L. Bonilha [1] ; E. Kobayashi [2] ; F. Cendes [3] ; L.M. Li [4]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] UNICAMP. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Neurologia - Brasil
[2] UNICAMP. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Neurologia - Brasil
[3] UNICAMP. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Neurologia - Brasil
[4] UNICAMP. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Neurologia - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 38, n. 3, p. 409-418, 2005-03-00.
Abstract

There is a wide range of values reported in volumetric studies of the amygdala. The use of single plane thick magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may prevent the correct visualization of anatomic landmarks and yield imprecise results. To assess whether there is a difference between volumetric analysis of the amygdala performed with single plane MRI 3-mm slices and with multiplanar analysis of MRI 1-mm slices, we studied healthy subjects and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. We performed manual delineation of the amygdala on T1-weighted inversion recovery, 3-mm coronal slices and manual delineation of the amygdala on three-dimensional volumetric T1-weighted images with 1-mm slice thickness. The data were compared using a dependent t-test. There was a significant difference between the volumes obtained by the coronal plane-based measurements and the volumes obtained by three-dimensional analysis (P < 0.001). An incorrect estimate of the amygdala volume may preclude a correct analysis of the biological effects of alterations in amygdala volume. Three-dimensional analysis is preferred because it is based on more extensive anatomical assessment and the results are similar to those obtained in post-mortem studies. (AU)