Pediatric Focal Cortical Dysplasia

  • Etiology: Disorder of cortical formation
  • Imaging MRI:
    — Thick cortex
    — Indistinct gray matter-white matter junction with abnormal architecture of subcortical layer
    — Cortical dimple – widened sulcus
    — Abnormal sulcal or gyral pattern
    — T2WI: Slightly hyperintense cortex, hyperintense white matter with or without transmantle sign
  • DDX: Tumor – focal cortical dysplasia is favored if there is cortical thickening and a radial band with extension to the ventricle
  • Complications:
  • Treatment:
  • Clinical:

Radiology Cases of Focal Cortical Dysplasia

MRI of focal cortical dysplasia
Axial T2 (above left), axial FLAIR (above right) and coronal T1 (below) MRI without contrast of the brain show an abnormal gyral pattern of cortical grey matter in the infero-medial aspect of the right frontal lobe that on the axial images is seen to nearly reach the anterior-most aspect of the anterior horn of the right lateral ventricle.