CASE 1213 Published on 09.08.2001

Virchow-Robin spaces

Section

Paediatric radiology

Case Type

Anatomy and Functional Imaging

Authors

S. Babu, N. Wright

Patient

13 years, female

Categories
No Area of Interest ; Imaging Technique MR, MR
Clinical History
Complex partial seizures
Imaging Findings
The patient had a history ofcomplex partial seizures was referred for MR imaging of brain. The study was normal. But the study showed Virchow-Robin spaces around centrum semiovale which are dilated perivascular extensions of the subarachnoid space. These should not be considered pathological. Virchow-Robin spaces may be seen normally in MR of brain in patients less than 40years of age. They are normally seen in patients with advancing age and hypertension. Here we illustrate a paediatric age group patient with dilated Virchow-Robin spaces. Their morphology and signal characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging parallel the features of lacunar infarcts. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain of this young patient shows low signal dilated perivascular spaces on T1 sequences and high signal dots on T2 sequences.
Discussion
With Magnetic Resonance imaging predominating the neuroimaging, Virchow-Robin spaces are frequently seen in axial slices of Magnetic Resonance imaging Brain. These spaces represent dilated perivascular subarachnoid spaces around the arterial arcades. They are frequently seen as a normal finding and should not be mistaken for pathology like lacunar infarcts. Their signal characteristics correspond to the signal characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid, i.e. appear darker on T1 weighted sequences and brighter on T2 weighted sequences. The Virchow-Robin spaces which surround the lenticulostriate arteries, measure less than 5mm. In conclusion, these focally dilated normal Virchow-Robin spaces should not be labelled mistakenly as well demarcated parenchymal defects.
Differential Diagnosis List
Virchow-Robin spaces
Final Diagnosis
Virchow-Robin spaces
Case information
URL: https://eurorad.org/case/1213
DOI: 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.1213
ISSN: 1563-4086