Neuroimaging patterns of anatomical features in pediatric cerebral palsy patients at Ayder hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Neuroradiological studies have greatly improved the knowledge and diagnoses of cerebral palsy with its underlying pathology, types and accompanying changes in brain morphology. However, there is no published study on cerebral palsy neuroimaging patterns in Ethiopia. METHODS: Retrospective chart and neuroimaging reviews were conducted among pediatric patients, who attended Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between January 2016 and August 2019, fulfilling the study criteria. The magnetic resonance images and computed tomography scans reviewed by a neuroradiologist and/or pediatric neurologist were included. Data was collected using a structured checklist and analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 22. Results were represented using tables, graphs and images. RESULTS: The median age at neuroimaging was 2 years. There were more males (54.5%) than females (45.5%) with a male: female ratio of 1.2:1. Majority of the patients had magnetic resonance (81.8%) as opposed to computed tomography scans (18.2%). Most of the patients (69.7%) had been born at term with spastic quadriplegia (33.3%) found to be the leading type of cerebral palsy. 30.3% of the patients had normal neuroimaging studies whereas 69.7% had neuroimaging abnormalities. Anomalies included pathologies of the white matter (18.2%), basal ganglia (15.2%), cortex and lobes (27.3%), corpus callosum (6.1%), lateral ventricles (12.1%), cysts (18.2%) and cerebellum (3%), respectively. Other findings were seen in 45.5% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Severe forms of cerebral palsy (spastic quadriplegia) were most common with majorly cortical and subcortical brain involvement.