Evaluation of Spinocerebellar Degeneration by Three-dimensional Volumetry from MRI

Abstract

The diagnosis of spinocerebellar degeneration has been based on neurological, neuro-otological and radiological findings. CT scan and MRI can demonstrate atrophy of the cerebellum and/or pons on a two-dimensional plane. In this paper, three-dimensional evaluation by volumetry of the cerebellum and brain stem from MRI in 4 patients with spinocerebellar degeneration and 2 normal subjects was reported. MR images of the cerebellum and/or brain stem were put into a personal computer (Macintosh 7600/200), reconstructed three-dimensionally. Volume of the cerebellum or brain stem was calculated using commercial software (Vox Blast, Vay Tec Inc).
In normal subjects, measured volume of the cerebellum was around 90 ml and that of the brain stem 17 ml. In patients with spinocerebellar degeneration, 2 patients with the cerebellar type showed reduced volume of the cerebellum with normal volume of the brain stem, while 2 other patients with the spinocerebellar type showed reduced volume in both the cerebellum and the brain stem.
The authors considered that three-dimensional volumetry of the cerebellum and brain stem is useful for diagnosing spinocerebellar degeneration.