Imaging white matter tracts and nuclei of the hypothalamus: an MR-anatomic comparative study.

PURPOSE To evaluate the MR appearance of the hypothalamus and its associated white matter tracts. METHODS Coronal and sagittal spin-echo images were obtained in cadaver brains. Gross and histologic sections were made of the cadaver brains. The size, shape, signal intensity, course, and pattern of structures in the hypothalamic region were identified in MR images by comparison with the anatomic sections. RESULTS The mamillary bodies, paraventricular zone of hypothalamic nuclei, postcommissural fornix, mammillothalamic fasciculus, and anterior commissure were identified on the MR images. CONCLUSION This study suggests that, with MR imaging of sufficiently high resolution, some of the tracts and nuclei in the hypothalamus may be identified.