Volumetric Brain Differences in Premature Children with Cerebral Palsy: A VolBrain-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis

Abstract This study aims to compare volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements between premature children with cerebral palsy (CP) and healthy controls, and to evaluate the relationship between volumetric data and clinical findings. This retrospective study included 53 premature CP patients (group 1) and 53 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (group 2). Brain volume measurements were obtained using the VolBrain program based on 3D T1-weighted MRI images. The mean ages at MRI acquisition were 4.32 years for group 1 and 4.73 years for group 2. Common MRI abnormalities in group 1 included periventricular leukomalacia (68%), periventricular and intraventricular hemorrhage sequelae (15%), and lateral ventriculomegaly (22%). Volumes of total cerebral tissue, white and gray matter, cerebellum, cerebellar gray matter, globus pallidus, and corpus callosum were significantly reduced in group 1 compared with group 2. Positive correlations were found between total cerebral white matter and cerebellar volumes with motor function scores in CP patients. Volumetric neuroimaging reveals more extensive and complex brain involvement in premature children with CP than previously assumed. VolBrain may offer a practical and objective method for monitoring disease progression in clinical settings.