Diagnostics
Quantitative MRI Characterization of Fluid-Related Phenotypes in Pediatric Epilepsy: Deep Learning-Assisted Assessment of Enlarged Perivascular Space Burden, Regional Distribution, and Clinical Associations
By Aytaç A and Aydın H.
Abstract
Objective
To quantitatively characterize EPVS burden and regional distribution, together with CP and ventricular CSF structural imaging phenotypes, in pediatric epilepsy and to explore within-epilepsy clinical associations of EPVS measures differing from controls.
Methods
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 123 children with epilepsy and 108 controls aged 10-17 years. Enlarged perivascular space (EPVS), choroid plexus (CP), and ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) structural imaging phenotypes were quantitatively assessed using SHIVA-PVS, FreeSurfer, and 3D Slicer with expert visual quality control. Primary between-group comparisons used general linear models adjusted for age and sex, with estimated total intracranial volume additionally included for absolute volumetric measures, and multiple comparisons were controlled using the false discovery rate (FDR). Exploratory within-epilepsy clinical-association analyses were subsequently performed for EPVS measures showing FDR-significant between-group differences.