Clinical sensitivity and specificity of multiple T2-hyperintensities on brain magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 in children: diagnostic accuracy study

2011

T2-hyperintensities on Brain MRI in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Sample size: 325 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Sabol Zlatko, Rešić Biserka, Gjergja Juraški Romana, Sabol Filip, Kovač Šižgorić Matilda, Oršolić Krešimir, Ozretić David, Šepić-Grahovac Dubravka

Primary Institution: Sabol Outpatient Clinic for Sick Children, Zagreb, Croatia

Hypothesis

To determine the prevalence, number, and location of multiple T2-hyperintensities on brain MRI in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and their correlation with age.

Conclusion

The study suggests including T2-hyperintensities on brain MRI as a diagnostic criterion for neurofibromatosis type 1 in young children.

Supporting Evidence

74% of NF1 patients had multiple T2-hyperintensities compared to 1.8% of controls.
T2-hyperintensities had an area under the ROC curve of 0.849.
The sensitivity of T2-hyperintensities was highest in children aged 2-7 years at 81%.
Specificity of T2-hyperintensities was 98% across all age groups.

Takeaway

Doctors looked at brain scans of kids with a condition called neurofibromatosis type 1 to see if certain bright spots could help tell if they have the condition, especially when they are very young.