Central Tegmental Tract Hyperintensity on Cranial MRI in Pediatric Patients Pediatrik Hastalarda Kraniyal MRG'de Santral Tegmental Trakt Hiperintensitesi
Journal of Behcet Uz Children's Hospital, cilt.16, sa.1, ss.55-61, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 16 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/jbuch.galenos.2026.46244
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Behcet Uz Children's Hospital
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.55-61
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Central tegmental tract hyperintensity, cranial MRI, pediatric neuroimaging, cerebral palsy, myelination
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: The central tegmental tract (CTT) is an extrapyramidal pathway located in the brainstem. CTT hyperintensity (CTTH) is a neuroimaging finding of uncertain etiology, considered either part of the normal maturation process or a finding that can be seen in various neurological conditions. This study aims to investigate its relationship with age and the associated disorders of CTTH observed in the pediatric population. Method: All brain magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) performed between July 2023 and November 2025 at a tertiary pediatric hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Eighty-one pediatric patients with CTTH were included in the study. Clinical data, additional MRI findings, and available follow-up scans were examined. Results: CTTH was detected in 1.4% of all cranial MRIs, while the median age of the cases was 17 months. The most common complaints at admission were seizures (35.8%) and developmental delay (28.4%). Additional MRI findings (most commonly periventricular leukomalacia) were observed in 51.9% of the cases. The age of patients in this group with additional MRI findings was significantly lower than those without (median ages: 15 vs. 23 months). CTTH resolved in 36.7%, and persisted in 63.3% of the patients who underwent follow-up MRI. It was determined that CTTH resolved significantly in older children compared to the persistent cases among younger patients (median: 26 vs. 14 months). Conclusion: CTTH is a finding that can be seen in pediatric cranial MRI examinations, and its clinical significance should be interpreted by considering the patients' age and associated neurological conditions.