ERG and MRI results

Piper had an ERG and MRI done in December and we just got the results back.

"Electroretinography (ERG) is an eye test used to detect abnormal function of the retina (the light-detecting portion of the eye). Specifically, in this test, the light-sensitive cells of the eye, the rods and cones, and their connecting ganglion cells in the retina are examined. During the test, an electrode is placed on the cornea (at the front of the eye) to measure the electrical responses to light of the cells that sense light in the retina at the back of the eye. These cells are called the rods and cones."

Her previous ERG was done at 5 months old and showed normal results for her age. This one also showed normal results for her age. This is what we expected and these are good results.


Her MRI was done at this time last year and showed the malformations that are typical of Aicardi syndrome. She had polymicrogyria, hypoplasia of the white matter, arachnoid cysts and complete Agensis of the corpus callosum.


I am going to use my "kindergarten" explanations because it helps me understand, ha ha!

Polymicrogyria is basically wrinkles in the brain. Our brains have natural folds but her brain has extra folds that look like wrinkles. This can be a cause of the seizure activity, delays etc.

Hypoplasia means underdeveloped, so it her white matter did not develop properly. Your brain has white and gray matter. The analogy I have heard is the white and gray matter are like a computer network. The gray matter would be the computer, the white matter would be the network cables connecting the computers together. Basically, her "computer" isn't always connecting.

Arachnoid cysts are pockets of fluid in the brain that can stay the same size or get bigger.

Complete Agenesis of the corpus callosum is when the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the hemispheres is missing. Some girls with Aicardi have partial Agenesis and may have more success developmentally.


The most recent MRI appears to be the same as the last one. He was unable to compare from our previous MRI but will be doing this soon. She still has all of the malformations mentioned above but it doesn't seem like anything new is going on. I will keep everyone posted once he compares all of the test results.