MR volumetric analysis of the human entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices.

TLDR

The study aimed to determine normal volumes of the human entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices on MR images using a customized program. Volumetry was performed on coronal MR scans of 52 healthy volunteers, using anatomical landmarks derived from cytoarchitectonic analyses of 49 autopsy cases. Mean volumes were 1768 mm³/1558 mm³ (right/left) for entorhinal, 2512 mm³/2572 mm³ for perirhinal, and 2960 mm³/3091 mm³ for temporopolar cortices; the right entorhinal cortex was 12 % larger, temporopolar volume was 13 % lower in older adults, and no sex differences were observed.

Abstract

PURPOSE Our purpose was to investigate the normal volumes of the human entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices on MR imaging studies using a customized program. METHODS We designed a protocol in which the volumes of the entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices were determined from coronal MR images using anatomic landmarks defined on the basis of cytoarchitectonic analyses of 49 autopsy cases. MR volumetry of these cortical areas was performed in 52 healthy volunteers. RESULTS The overall mean volumes were 1768 +/- 328 mm3/1558 +/- 341 mm3 (right/left) for the entorhinal cortex, 2512 +/- 672 mm3/2572 +/- 666 mm3 for the perirhinal cortex, and 2960 +/- 623 mm3/3091 +/- 636 mm3 for the temporopolar cortex. The right entorhinal cortex was 12% larger than the left. The volume of the temporopolar cortex was reduced bilaterally by 13% in the older age group compared with younger subjects, while the volumes of the entorhinal and perirhinal cortices were unaffected by age. There were no differences between men and women in the volumes of any of the three cortices. CONCLUSION Our method provides a tool by which to measure volumes of the entorhinal, perirhinal, and temporopolar cortices on coronal MR images.