Pars Marginalis and Pars Bracket Sign for Easy and Fast Localization of the Central Sulcus on Axial Brain MRI

Background: Correct identification of the central sulcus and adjacent gyri is essential for localizing tumors and planning effective surgery. With brain lesions central sulcus and surrounding sensory and motor eloquent areas may be obliterated. Central sulcus is the sulcus anterior to the pars marginalis on axial images.

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of marginal sulcus in axial cuts brain MRI among Sudanese population and to use it as land mark for central sulcus localization.

Methodology: The study included 100 normal MRI of both sex of adult age group. The pars marginalis and pars bracket sign was assessed and the direct relation to the central sulcus was observed.

Results: This study included 100 participants, (55 males and 45 females). The mean age of patients was 32.2 (+/- 7.4) years (range, 18–73 years). Pars marginalis and bracket sign were observed in all cases. In all cases, the central sulcus was observed to be anterior to the pars bracket. In 97 cases (53 males and 44 females), the central sulcus enters into the bracket, while in the remaining 3 cases it did not reach the pars bracket. No significant difference was observed between males and females.

Conclusion: Pars bracket sign was proved to be a reliable and quite effective signs to localize the central sulcus.