Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

-

Four weeks old neonate with biopsy proven Cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis was investigated with MRI of the brain due to altered neurologic status. T2* GRE Gradient Echo image shows multiple small black dots bilateral periventricular that represent multiple small calcifications. FLAIR shows extensive diffuse signal abnormalities in the white matter. Transversal T2 TSE shows calcifications round occipital horn of the left lateral ventricle. Coronal T1 shows high signal intensity small dots infratentorial that also represent small calcifications. (Yes - calcifications can show as high signal on T1). Periventricular distribution of calcifications is characteristic for Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection. Those would be even better visible on CT and even on Ultrasound.


However MRI shows further characteristic findings. Note pathological structure of the gyri on the parasagittal and transversal T2 images corresponding with dysplastic cortex - polymicrogyria. Also note on the sagittal T2 and T1 images a hypoplastic thin corpus callosum as well as large cisterna magna.

Popular posts from this blog

Huntington Disease

-
Image
10 years old boy from parents being cousins to each other presents with progressive rigidity and dystonia. Initial MR showing significant bilateral atrophy in caudate nuclei and putamina with high signal on FLAIR and T2 consistent with gliosis. Note striking symmetric atrophy of the putamina and caudate nuclei on T2 and IR. Huntington disease (HD) is also known as Huntington chorea. HD is an autosomal dominant chronic hereditary neurodegenerative disorder with complete penetrance [Osborn].  Aggregates of huntingtin protein accumulate in axonal terminals, which eventually leads to the death of medium spiny neurons. Autopsy shows generalized cerebral atrophy with an average of 30% reduction in brain weight. Both the cortex and hemispheric WM are affected. The most characteristic gross abnormality is volume loss with rarefaction of the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus [Osborn].  Microscopically, HD features neuronal loss with huntingtin nuclear inclusions, astr
Read more

Hemorrhagic Choroid Plexus Cyst

-
Image
Transversal Diffusion Weighted sequence shows high signal in the left choroid plexus with corresponding low signal on ADC (restricted diffusion). Finding represents acute Hemorrhagic Choroid Plexus Cyst . It is also known as Choroid Plexus Xanthogranuloma . Gradient Echo sequence (third image) shows low signal in the right choroid plexus representing hemosiderine deposits after previous hemorrhage. Coronal T1 shows intermediate to high signal in the plexus cyst. Note also low signal in the right plexus on T2 (old hemorrhage) and high signal on FLAIR in the left plexus (acute hemorrhage). Choroid Plexus Cysts are very common normal finding. Those often show restricted diffusion. However in our case of patient with hypertension this finding is of interest to the clinicians as a requirement to more closely monitor patient's blood pressure. There were no signs of intraventricular hemorrhage.
Read more

Dilated Perivascular Spaces in the Brain

-
Image
Above images (tra T2, tra FLAIR, cor T2 and sag T1) show enlarged Perivascular Spaces (PVS) in the right frontal lobe of the elderly patient with dementia. Note that signal follows that of the CSF (see FLAIR). Moreover note moderate general cortical atrophy. PVS, also known as Virchow-Robin spaces are considered normal finding although perhaps in the future we should know more about the exact patophysiology and possible relations till dementia and other conditions.
Read more