Anatomical Correlates Research Articles

Quantitative Assessment of Structural Complexity in Human Cerebellum through Analysis of Skeletonized MR Images: Anatomical Correlations, Sex Differences, and AgeRelated Changes

Quantitative Assessment of Structural Complexity in Human Cerebellum through Analysis of Skeletonized MR Images: Anatomical Correlations, Sex Differences, and AgeRelated Changes

Teaching NeuroImage: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome: Anatomic Correlation.

Teaching NeuroImage: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome: Anatomic Correlation.

Quantitative analysis of genicular nerve block spread and variability: Anatomical correlations and clinical implications

BackgroundDespite advancements in anaesthesiology and regional anaesthesia, the three-dimensional spread of local anaesthetics is still poorly understood. This study investigates the pericapsular spread of radiopaque contrast after ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block in cadaveric knees using CT reconstruction. The aim is to assess the reproducibility, accuracy, and variability of this technique in order to improve safety and effectiveness. MethodsWe used a four-stage methodology that involved performing genicular nerve block on cadaveric knees, acquiring data using high-resolution ultrasound and helical CT imaging, performing segmentation and surface reconstruction of the CT images, and analysing the data quantitively to determine the spread of the infiltrate in each genicular nerve region. Coefficients of variation were calculated to estimate the spread and reproducibility of each genicular nerve block. ResultsOur results revealed significant variability in spread in all genicular nerve blocks, particularly around the recurrent genicular nerve. Despite this variability, the spread—particularly along the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior axes—showed moderate consistency. Furthermore, the regions covered by 80% of the spread closely matched the pericapsular distribution of the genicular nerves of the knee. ConclusionsNotable variability in spread was observed in genicular nerve blocks, particularly around the recurrent genicular nerve. However, the spread showed moderate consistency and aligns closely with the pericapsular nerve distribution of the knee. Future studies should combine quantitative analysis with anatomical dissection to further investigate the involvement of the deep peroneal motor branch.

Musculoskeletal Clinical Online Cases With a Focus on Anatomy for Preclinical Learners.

While musculoskeletal disorders are leading causes of medical visits, musculoskeletal education is underrepresented in US medical curricula. Previous studies have demonstrated that undergraduate medical students often fail to demonstrate competency surrounding musculoskeletal disorders. More educational content is needed to support musculoskeletal knowledge in learners. We developed an online, case-based musculoskeletal module for second-year medical students alongside their standard course material and presented clinical cases with multiple-choice question quizzes regarding the presentation, diagnosis, and anatomic correlation of musculoskeletal conditions. Cases, under 10 minutes each, targeted common, medically important areas of musculoskeletal health. Grades in the required musculoskeletal course were significantly and positively correlated with online module quiz performance. 258 (73%) of 354 students completed at least one quiz, and students completed an average of 14 out of 15 quizzes. Learners who completed more than 50% of the quizzes performed significantly better in the course than those who completed fewer quizzes; this was true for a formative internal course exam (p = .035), an NBME customized assessment (p = .008), and the course overall (p = .021). Additional analyses of students' perceptions revealed that students valued the self-directed online learning environment. The high completion rate (73%) for the online module also signaled student value in the content and format. This module represents educational material that has been demonstrated to improve medical student musculoskeletal learning. Additionally, the module could be expanded to address inadequacies in orthopedic education among other students, such as allied health learners.

Multivariate and network lesion mapping reveals distinct architectures of domain-specific post-stroke cognitive impairments

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify patterns of structural disconnection and multivariate lesion-behaviour relationships associated with post-stroke deficits across six commonly impacted cognitive domains: executive function, language, memory, numerical processing, praxis, and visuospatial attention. MethodsStroke survivors (n = 593) completed a brief domain-specific cognitive assessment (the Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS)) during acute hospitalisation. Network-level and multivariate (sparce canonical correlation) lesion mapping analyses were conducted to identify focal neural correlates and distributed patterns of structural disconnection associated with impairment on each of the 16 OCS measures. ResultsNetwork-level and multivariate lesion mapping analyses identified significant correlates for 12/16 and 10/16 OCS measures, respectively which were largely consistent with correlates reported in past work. Language impairments were reliably localised to network- and voxel-level correlates centred in left fronto-temporal regions. Memory impairments were associated with disconnection in a large network of left hemisphere regions. Number processing deficits were associated with damage to voxels centred in the left insular/opercular cortex, as well as disconnection within the surrounding white matter tracts. Within the domain of attention, different subtypes of visuospatial neglect were linked to distinct but partially overlapping patterns of disconnection and voxel-level damage. Praxis impairment was not linked to any voxel-level regions but was significantly associated with disconnection within the left hemisphere dorsal attention network. ConclusionThese results highlight the utility of routine, domain-specific cognitive assessment and imaging data for theoretically-driven lesion mapping analyses, while providing novel insight into the complex anatomical correlates of common and debilitating post-stroke cognitive impairments.

LITERATURE REVIEW THE ROLE OF ACUPUNCTURE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a condition characterized by damage to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands and feet. The most common causes include diabetes, thyroid disorders, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol abuse, chemotherapy, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Despite the availability of various treatments, neurological disorders remain a significant therapeutic challenge. The therapeutic effects of acupuncture are attributed to several mechanisms, including stimulation of nerve fibers, restoration of blood flow, release of neurotransmitters and hormones, modulation of the autonomic nervous system, anti-inflammatory effects, and increased neuroplasticity. These mechanisms collectively contribute to the relief of symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy. Evidence suggests that acupuncture is beneficial in treating peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve nerve conduction study parameters in sensory and motor nerves, reduce neuropathic pain, and improve overall nerve function. Certain acupuncture points such as ST-36, GB-34, SP-3, SP-8, and BI-56 have been identified as particularly effective in managing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Although more rigorous studies are needed to fully characterize the effects of acupuncture on peripheral neuropathy, the available evidence supports its use as a complementary therapy. Standardized acupuncture protocols that combine anatomical correlation with peripheral nerves and traditional approaches to neuropathic pain management appear to be effective. Further studies with larger sample sizes and randomized comparisons to sham acupuncture will help establish acupuncture as a guideline for treating peripheral neuropathy. This review outlines the potential of acupuncture as a complementary therapy in the management of peripheral neuropathy.

The Arterial Supply of Pancreas: Clinical and Anatomical Correlation

The Arterial Supply of Pancreas: Clinical and Anatomical Correlation

Experimental Measurements of the Length of the Human Colon: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Knowledge of the length of the colon is relevant to understanding physiological and pathological function. It also has implications for diagnostic and clinical interventions, as well as for the design of delayed-release drug formulations and drug disposition modeling. Over the years, a range of different experimental methods have been employed to assess colon length. These methods vary from direct measurements on cadavers and during intraoperative procedures to measurements obtained from endoscopic and medical imaging techniques. However, no systematic review or meta-analysis of these findings has yet been carried out. In this systematic review, we identified 31 published experimental studies that measured the length of the human colon and/or its segments. We synthesized the available data, comprising colon length measurements from 5741 adults and 337 children and young people, in a meta-analysis. The data contribute to our understanding of colon morphology and may have implications for clinical practice, particularly for colonoscopy and preoperative planning of surgical resections. Additionally, this review provides potential insights into anatomical correlates of functional diseases, such as constipation. This review highlights that non-invasive, non-destructive diagnostic imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide more physiologically relevant measurements of colon length. However, there is a need for more standardized measurement protocols and for additional pediatric data.

Review of GV26 Point Locations and Indications and Anatomical Correlation of the Point

Review of GV26 Point Locations and Indications and Anatomical Correlation of the Point

Mapping cognitive activity from electrocorticography field potentials in humans performing NBack task

Objective. Advancements in data science and assistive technologies have made invasive brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs) increasingly viable for enhancing the quality of life in physically disabled individuals. Intracortical microelectrode implants are a common choice for such a communication system due to their fine temporal and spatial resolution. The small size of these implants makes the implantation plan critical for the successful exfiltration of information, particularly when targeting representations of task goals that lack robust anatomical correlates. Approach. Working memory processes including encoding, retrieval, and maintenance are observed in many areas of the brain. Using human electrocorticography (ECoG) recordings during a working memory experiment, we provide proof that it is possible to localize cognitive activity associated with the task and to identify key locations involved with executive memory functions. Results. From the analysis, we could propose an optimal iBCI implant location with the desired features. The general approach is not limited to working memory but could also be used to map other goal-encoding factors such as movement intentions, decision-making, and visual-spatial attention. Significance. Deciphering the intended action of a BCI user is a complex challenge that involves the extraction and integration of cognitive factors such as movement planning, working memory, visual-spatial attention, and the decision state. Examining field potentials from ECoG electrodes while participants engaged in tailored cognitive tasks can pinpoint location with valuable information related to anticipated actions. This manuscript demonstrates the feasibility of identifying electrodes involved in cognitive activity related to working memory during user engagement in the NBack task. Devoting time in meticulous preparation to identify the optimal brain regions for BCI implant locations will increase the likelihood of rich signal outcomes, thereby improving the overall BCI user experience.

Anatomical and behavioural correlates of auditory perception in developmental dyslexia.

Developmental dyslexia is typically associated with difficulties in basic auditory processing and in manipulating speech sounds. However, the neuroanatomical correlates of auditory difficulties in developmental dyslexia (DD) and their contribution to individual clinical phenotypes are still unknown. Recent intracranial electrocorticography findings associated processing of sound amplitude rises and speech sounds with posterior and middle superior temporal gyrus (STG), respectively. We hypothesize that regional STG anatomy will relate to specific auditory abilities in DD, and that auditory processing abilities will relate to behavioral difficulties with speech and reading. One hundred and ten children (78 DD, 32 typically developing, age 7-15 years) completed amplitude rise time and speech in noise discrimination tasks. They also underwent a battery of cognitive tests. Anatomical MRI scans were used to identify regions in which local cortical gyrification complexity correlated with auditory behavior. Behaviorally, amplitude rise time but not speech in noise performance was impaired in DD. Neurally, amplitude rise time and speech in noise performance correlated with gyrification in posterior and middle STG, respectively. Furthermore, amplitude rise time significantly contributed to reading impairments in DD, while speech in noise only explained variance in phonological awareness. Finally, amplitude rise time and speech in noise performance were not correlated, and each task was correlated with distinct neuropsychological measures, emphasizing their unique contributions to DD. Overall, we provide a direct link between the neurodevelopment of the left STG and individual variability in auditory processing abilities in neurotypical and dyslexic populations.

Neural correlates of harm avoidance: a multimodal meta-analysis of brain structural and resting-state functional neuroimaging studies

Harm avoidance (HA) is a Cloninger personality trait that describes behavioural inhibition to avoid aversive stimuli. It serves as a predisposing factor that contributes to the development of mental disorders such as anxiety and major depressive disorder. Neuroimaging research has identified some brain anatomical and functional correlates of HA, but reported findings are inconsistent. We therefore conducted a multimodal meta-analysis of whole-brain structural and resting-state functional neuroimaging studies to identify the most stable neural substrate of HA. Included were a total of 10 structural voxel-based morphometry studies (11 datasets) and 13 functional positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography studies (16 datasets) involving 3053 healthy participants without any psychiatric or neurological disorders evaluated for HA using the Three-Dimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) or the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). The meta-analysis revealed brain volumetric correlates of HA in parietal and temporal cortices, and resting-state functional correlates in prefrontal, temporal and parietal gray matter. Volumetric and functional correlates co-occurred in the left superior frontal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus, and were dissociated in the left rectus gyrus. Our meta-analysis is the first study to give a comprehensive picture of the structural and functional correlates of HA, a contribution that may help bridge the grievous gap between the neurobiology of HA and the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of HA-related mental disorders.

Second Generation Bypass: Step-by-Step Surgical and Anatomical Correlation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Second Generation Bypass: Step-by-Step Surgical and Anatomical Correlation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

MR imaging of benign vulvar lesions: a pictorial essay.

Benign vulvar lesions can be difficult to differentiate with few publications on their imaging appearances. While many vulvar lesions may be clinically diagnosed and treated, more are being detected incidentally with the increasing prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis. In addition, clinicians may find imaging of benign vulvar lesions helpful for greater anatomical correlation. After reviewing the important MRI sequences for vulvar imaging and the anatomy of the vulva on MRI, this pictorial essay illustrates variety of cystic and solid benign vulvar lesions to familiarize radiologists with their common MRI appearances. Other miscellaneous pelvic lesions that can affect the vulva are also described.

Synchronized ultrasonography and electromyography signals detection enabled by nanocellulose based ultrasound transparent electrodes

Accurate evaluation of electrophysiological and morphological characteristics of the skeletal muscles is critical to establish a comprehensive assessment of the human neuromusculoskeletal function in vivo. However, current technological challenges lie in unsynchronized and unparallel operation of separate acquisition systems such as surface electromyography (sEMG) and ultrasonography. Key problem is the lack of ultrasound transparency of current electrophysiological electrodes. In this work, ultrasound (US) transparent electrode based on cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) substrate are proposed to solve the issue. US transparency of the electrodes are evaluated using a standard US phantom. The effects of nanocellulose type and ion-bond introduction on electrode performance is investigated. Simultaneous US image and sEMG signal acquisition of biceps brachii during isometric muscle contraction are studied. Reliable correlation analysis of the US and sEMG signals is realized which is rarely reported in the previous literatures. Recyclability and biodegradability of the current electrode are evaluated. The reported technology opens up new pathways to provide coupled anatomical and electrical information of the skeletal muscles, enables reliable anatomical and electrical information correlation analysis and largely simplify the sensor integration for assessment of the human neuromusculoskeletal function.

Proprioceptors of the human pericardium

In the human organism, all functions are regulated and, therefore, require a feedback mechanism. This control involves a perception of the spatial tensile state of cardiac tissues. The presence and distribution of respective proprioceptive corpuscles have not been considered so far. Therefore, a comprehensive study of the entire human fibrous pericardium was conducted to describe the presence of proprioceptors, their density, and distribution patterns. Eight human pericardial specimens gained from our body donation program were used to create a three-dimensional map of proprioceptors in the pericardium based on their histological and immunohistochemical identification. The 3D map was generated as a volume-rendered 3D model based on magnetic resonance imaging of the pericardium, to which all identified receptors were mapped. To discover a systematic pattern in receptor distribution, statistical cluster analysis was conducted using the Scikit-learn library in Python. Ruffini-like corpuscles (RLCs) were found in all pericardia and assigned to three histological receptor localizations depending on the fibrous pericardium’s layering, with no other corpuscular proprioceptors identified. Cluster analysis revealed that RLCs exhibit a specific topographical arrangement. The highest receptor concentrations occur at the ventricular bulges, where their size reaches its maximum in terms of diameter, and at the perivascular pericardial turn-up. The findings suggest that the pericardium is subject to proprioceptive control. RLCs record lateral shearing between the pericardial sublayers, and their distribution pattern enables the detection of distinct dilatation of the heart. Therefore, the pericardium might have an undiscovered function as a sensor with the RLCs as its anatomical correlate.

False-Profile Radiograph Sourcil-Edge and Bone-Edge Measurements Correlate to Different Weightbearing Regions of the Acetabulum: A 3-Dimensional Analysis

Background: The acetabular sourcil is commonly interpreted as a reliable radiographic representation of the weightbearing dome of the acetabulum, despite limited modern data. Assessment of weightbearing acetabular coverage has been described using both the sourcil edge and bone edge as anatomic landmarks, leading to confusion and potential misguidance in surgical decision-making and thus compromised patient outcomes. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to characterize the 3-dimensional (3D) anatomic correlates of the sourcil-edge and bone-edge radiographic measurements on false-profile radiographs. It was hypothesized that the sourcil edge would represent anterolateral coverage and the bone edge would represent anterior coverage. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A total of 80 hips were grouped by large or small differences between bone-edge and sourcil-edge anterior center-edge angles, based on upper and lower quartiles of discrepancy. Three-dimensional surface mesh models and digitally reconstructed radiographs were generated from hip computed tomography scans. Sourcil-edge and bone-edge anterior center-edge angles were identified on digitally reconstructed radiographs and registered to the 3D models with fiducial markers. Intersections of bone-edge and sourcil-edge projection lines with the acetabular rim were obtained from the 3D models. Results: The bone-edge and sourcil-edge projections intersected the acetabular rim at clockface means of 2:05 ± 0:22 and 1:12 ± 0:25, respectively. The 3D models consistently demonstrated that, in both large- and small-discrepancy groups, the sourcil edge corresponded to the acetabular area just posterior to the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) projection, and the bone edge corresponded to the weightbearing region inferior to the AIIS. Additionally, in large-discrepancy hips, the bone edge corresponded to more prominent acetabular coverage in the region inferomedial to the AIIS when compared with the small-discrepancy hips. Conclusion: On false-profile radiographs, the sourcil edge corresponds to superior femoral head coverage, and the bone edge corresponds to anterosuperior coverage. Radiographs with a large discrepancy between sourcil-edge and bone-edge measurements demonstrate acetabular rim prominence in the region of the AIIS. Clinical Relevance: Characterizing the anatomic weightbearing regions of the acetabulum represented on false-profile radiographs facilitates improved clinical and intraoperative decision-making in hip preservation surgery, including acetabuloplasty and periacetabular osteotomy.

FARN: Fetal Anatomy Reasoning Network for Detection With Global Context Semantic and Local Topology Relationship.

Accurate recognition of fetal anatomical structure is a pivotal task in ultrasound (US) image analysis. Sonographers naturally apply anatomical knowledge and clinical expertise to recognizing key anatomical structures in complex US images. However, mainstream object detection approaches usually treat each structure recognition separately, overlooking anatomical correlations between different structures in fetal US planes. In this work, we propose a Fetal Anatomy Reasoning Network (FARN) that incorporates two kinds of relationship forms: a global context semantic block summarized with visual similarity and a local topology relationship block depicting structural pair constraints. Specifically, by designing the Adaptive Relation Graph Reasoning (ARGR) module, anatomical structures are treated as nodes, with two kinds of relationships between nodes modeled as edges. The flexibility of the model is enhanced by constructing the adaptive relationship graph in a data-driven way, enabling adaptation to various data samples without the need for predefined additional constraints. The feature representation is further refined by aggregating the outputs of the ARGR module. Comprehensive experimental results demonstrate that FARN achieves promising performance in detecting 37 anatomical structures across key US planes in tertiary obstetric screening. FARN effectively utilizes key relationships to improve detection performance, demonstrates robustness to small-scale, similar, and indistinct structures, and avoids some detection errors that deviate from anatomical norms. Overall, our study serves as a resource for developing efficient and concise approaches to model inter-anatomy relationships.

Neurovascular crossing patterns between leash of Henry and deep branch of radial nerve: implications for neurointervention and diagnostic imaging.

To detail the neurovascular crossing patterns between the leash of Henry (LoH) and the deep branch of the radial nerve (DBRN) in supination and pronation of the forearm, using imaging methods with anatomic correlation. This cross-sectional study was performed ex vivo with HRUS and MRI with anatomic correlation on 6 samples and in vivo with HRUS with Doppler on 55 participants scanned bilaterally. The in vivo participants were enrolled over a 6-month period. The crossing patterns between the LoH and DBRN were assessed ex vivo and in vivo. Additional morphological features of the DBRN, LoH, and fat plane were assessed in vivo only. Biometric features of the participants were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using Shapiro-Wilk, parametric and non-parametric tests. The most common neurovascular crossing pattern was the ascending branch of the radial recurrent artery (RRAab) crossing below (ex vivo: 83.3%, in vivo: 85.3%) and the muscular branch crossing above (ex vivo: 100%, in vivo: 63.2% %) the DBRN. Both the deep and superficial surfaces of the DBRN exhibited an intimate relationship with the vessels of the LoH. A positive correlation between vessel diameter and anthropometric factors was observed. In addition, the muscular branch exhibited a significantly smaller diameter than the RRAab. Our study detailed the relationship between the LoH and the DBRN and highlighted the high incidence of vessel crossing above the DBRN at the level of the muscular branch. Knowledge of neurovascular crossings is crucial for understanding neurovascular entrapment syndromes and planning interventional procedures to reduce vascular complications.

Anatomical and behavioral correlates of auditory perception in developmental dyslexia.

Developmental dyslexia is typically associated with difficulties in basic auditory processing and in manipulating speech sounds. However, the neuroanatomical correlates of auditory difficulties in developmental dyslexia (DD) and their contribution to individual clinical phenotypes are still unknown. Recent intracranial electrocorticography findings associated processing of sound amplitude rises and speech sounds with posterior and middle superior temporal gyrus (STG), respectively. We hypothesize that regional STG anatomy will relate to specific auditory abilities in DD, and that auditory processing abilities will relate to behavioral difficulties with speech and reading. One hundred and ten children (78 DD, 32 typically developing, age 7-15 years) completed amplitude rise time and speech in noise discrimination tasks. They also underwent a battery of cognitive tests. Anatomical MRI scans were used to identify regions in which local cortical gyrification complexity correlated with auditory behavior. Behaviorally, amplitude rise time but not speech in noise performance was impaired in DD. Neurally, amplitude rise time and speech in noise performance correlated with gyrification in posterior and middle STG, respectively. Furthermore, amplitude rise time significantly contributed to reading impairments in DD, while speech in noise only explained variance in phonological awareness. Finally, amplitude rise time and speech in noise performance were not correlated, and each task was correlated with distinct neuropsychological measures, emphasizing their unique contributions to DD. Overall, we provide a direct link between the neurodevelopment of the left STG and individual variability in auditory processing abilities in neurotypical and dyslexic populations.