Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance perfusion of the brain in children with craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is the premature closure of cranial sutures, leading to skull deformation, cranio-cerebral disproportion, and potentially resulting in the development of intracranial hypertension, persistent neurological, and cognitive impairments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) complemented by dynamic contrast-enhanced MR perfusion, allows for a detailed assessment of intracardiac structures, as well as evaluation of cerebral blood flow parameters in areas of suspected brain compression in children with craniosynostosis. Purpose of the study: еvaluate cerebral blood flow parameters (CBV and CBF) in children with craniosynostosis using contrast-enhanced dynamic MR perfusion in the preoperative stage. Object and methods. Forty-eight children with various types of craniosynostosis were examined: 10 (20%) had sagittal suture synostosis, 15 (31%) had metopic suture synostosis, 9 (19%) had unilateral coronal suture synostosis, 6 (13%) had bicoronal synostosis, 2 (4%) had lambdoid synostosis, and 6 (13%) had involvement of all sutures. Color perfusion maps of CBF and CBV were constructed using the syngo.via system (Siemens).