Diagnosis of Sturge-Weber syndrome: comparison of the efficacy of CT and MR imaging in 14 cases.

Once obtained, T2 weighted sequences generally constitute a fundamental element in the study of craniospinal pathology, provided that they determine the signal hyperintensity of lesions which are clearly visible against the surrounding tissue.A sequence was recently introduced into clinical practice which allows for attentuation of cerebrospinal fluid signals. Here, a change in the tissue becomes the point, during the scan, at which the signal is at its most intense.This sequence, named "Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery" (FLAIR), suppresses the free water signals and thus the cerebrospinal fluid, while the parenchymallesions retain their hyperintensity. FLAIR uses a technique which selectively eliminates the fluid signal with a sequence of very long echoes, thereby determining substantial T2 weighted images. Using a O.ST system, we tried to determine in which pathologies the sequences could be used, other than the already well documented application in demyelinating pathology, by comparing spin-echo and FLAIR sequences.The results obtained confirm that the FLAIR sequence can have further application in vascular pathology; in the evaluation of ischaemic junctionallesions; in some neoplastic pathologies; in mesial temporal sclerosis and in the potential evaluation of extra-axial haematomas.Overall, a greater number of lesions was identified using FLAIR. Certainly the identification of cortical-subcortical lesions, both in vascular and demyelinating pathologies has benefitted most from this new sequence. In particular, a greater number of small ischaemic junctionallesions was detected, with a high level of correspondence between clinical data and magnetic resonance findings, even in patients without lesions in other sites.In conclusion, despite the fact that the FLAIR sequence involves an execution time of approximately seven minutes and must only be conducted following standard examination with the application of the base spin-echo sequence, it provides a further tool in the identification of craniospinal pathologies. Studio RM delle lesioni craniospinali con sequenze FLAIRParole chiave: FLAIR, sequenze RM, neuroradiologia RIASSUNTO -E stata recentemente proposta una nuova sequenza, detta FLAIR, che permette l'attenuazione dei segnali dai liquidi con identificazione facilitata delle modificazioni in ipersegnale adiacenti.L'importanza di questa sequenza nello studio delta patologia demielinizzante e stata ampiamente documentata. Gli autori tentano di identificare ulteriori possibilita di impiego, con speciale attenzione alla patologia ischemica. In casi selezionati, la sequenza si e dimostrata utile nello studio di patologia neoplastica e nella sclerosi temporomesiale. I lunghi tempi di realizzazione (approssimativamente 7 minuti) non sembrano un ostacolo ai fini di un piu corretto inquadramento diagnostico. 223 MRI with Fluid Attenuated Pulse Sequences

show abstract

“…FLAIR helped identify the potential presence of extracerebral haematomas or changes in parenchyma! or cortical intensity (figures 11,12,13).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Fluid Attenuated Pulse Sequences in Evaluation of Craniospinal Lesions

Palmieri

Muto

Izzo

et al. 1997

Rivista di Neuroradiologia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, the patient lacked both cranial CT scan (cerebral atrophy, cortical calcification, ipsilateral bone thickening and sinus hypertrophy) and brain MRI (LH or gyral contrast enhancement and choroid plexus thickening and enhancement) findings of SWS [3,4]. Minimal or absent LH has been described in a few SWSpatients whose cranial CTscan and brain MRI showed different stigmata of the disease [3,5]. No LH and presence of focal brain transmedullary enhancement on routine gadolinium-enhanced MRI have recently been described in one patient with type I SWS in which three dimensional time-of-flight MR venography showed left parietal LH [6].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Neurological disturbances include seizures, headache, hemiparesis, transient stroke-like deficit, and behavioral problems [2]. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI is the study of choice for demonstrating the typical leptomeningeal angiomatosis, and is particularly useful for making the diagnosis [3,4]. Intracerebral hematoma and spontaneous resolution of the cerebral angiomatosis have never been reported in SWS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Spontaneous obliteration of MRI-silent cerebral angiomatosis revealed by CT angiography in a patient with Sturge–Weber syndrome

Aguglia

Latella

Cafarelli

et al. 2008

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…After 1 year of age, computed tomography (CT) can detect calcifications that are not visible on plain radiographs and is more sensitive for detecting calcifications than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 26 CT is also capable of detecting parenchymal volume loss and choroid plexus enlargement. Magnetic resonance studies with enhancement are very useful for detecting leptomeningeal and ocular vascular malformations earlier and they more sensitively demonstrate gray and white matter abnormalities and engorgement of the deep venous system than does CT (Fig 3).…”

Section: Radiologic Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vascular malformations

Garzon

Huang²,

Enjolras

et al. 2007

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

205

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Diagnosis of Sturge-Weber syndrome: comparison of the efficacy of CT and MR imaging in 14 cases.

Cited by 56 publications

References 0 publications

Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Fluid Attenuated Pulse Sequences in Evaluation of Craniospinal Lesions

Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Fluid Attenuated Pulse Sequences in Evaluation of Craniospinal Lesions

Spontaneous obliteration of MRI-silent cerebral angiomatosis revealed by CT angiography in a patient with Sturge–Weber syndrome

Vascular malformations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About