We examined the potential benefits of neuroimaging measurements across the first 5 years of life in detecting early comorbid or etiological signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In particular, we analyzed the prevalence of neuroradiologic findings in routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of a group of 117 ASD children younger than 5 years old. These data were compared to those reported in typically developing (TD) children. MRI findings in children with ASD were analyzed in relation to their cognitive level, severity of autistic symptoms, and the presence of electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities. The MRI was rated abnormal in 55% of children with ASD with a significant prevalence in the high-functioning subgroup compared to TD children. We report significant incidental findings of mega cisterna magna, ventricular anomalies and abnormal white matter signal intensity in ASD without significant associations between these MRI findings and EEG features. Based on these results we discuss the role that brain MRI may play in the diagnostic procedure of ASD.

中文翻译：

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117名5岁以下自闭症谱系障碍儿童的脑磁共振结果

我们检查了在生命的前5年中进行神经影像学检查对发现自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的早期合并症或病因体征的潜在益处。特别是，我们分析了117名5岁以下ASD儿童的常规磁共振成像（MRI）扫描中神经放射学检查结果的普遍性。将这些数据与通常在发育中（TD）儿童中报告的数据进行比较。分析了ASD儿童的MRI结果与他们的认知水平，自闭症状的严重程度以及脑电图（EEG）异常的相关性。MRI被评估为55％的ASD儿童异常，与TD儿童相比，高功能亚组患病率高。我们报告了大型水箱大的偶然发现，这些MRI表现与脑电图特征之间无明显关联，ASD中的心室异常和白质信号强度异常。基于这些结果，我们讨论了脑MRI在ASD诊断过程中可能发挥的作用。