Correlation of atrophy measures on MRI with neuropsychological sequelae inchildren and adolescents with traumatic brain injury

To examine the relationship between neuropsychological sequelae and atrophy parameters from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following paediatric mode rate- to- severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), 19 head- injured children an d adolescents were studied at least 6 years after injury. Three-dimensional MRI scans were obtained. A semi- automatic computerized method was used to estimate ventricular volumes and the corpus callosum area. Tests of intell ectual, memory, visuospatial, frontal lobe, and motor speed functioning wer e administered to all patients and to 19 matched normal control subjects. P atients' performance significantly differed from controls in general intell ectual function, visual memory, visuospatial and frontal lobe tests. The co rpus callosum area correlated strongly with several measures involving proc essing speed and visuospatial function. Ventricular enlargement was less re lated to neuropsychological outcome. In conclusion, quantitative measuremen t of the corpus callosum on MRI reflects neuropsychological outcome better than ventricular dilation in paediatric patients.