The value of T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation: A study of two families

  • Authors:
    • Xue-Wu Liu
    • Shu-Hua Wang
    • Zhao-Fu Chi
    • Li-Jun Su
    • Xiu-He Zhao
    • Sheng-Jun Wang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 30, 2012     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2012.845
  • Pages: 448-452
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging (GRE T2*-WI) for the detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation (FCCM). Twenty-six members of 2 families with FCCM were examined using computed tomography (CT), conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and GRE T2*-WI sequences. We identified 12 cases of FCCM using GRE T2*-WI sequences. These 12 patients had multiple lesions (mean 23). The lesions were most commonly located in the ganglia. Other areas included the cortex-subcortex, thalamus, cerebellum and brainstem. These lesions appeared as a reticulated core of mixed signal intensity with a surrounding rim of decreased signal intensity representing hemosiderin from previous hemorrhages. The mean numbers of lesions and cases of FCCM identified by various conventional MRI sequences were 5-17 and 3-9, respectively. Conventional MRI examination involved T1‑weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), T2‑fluid‑attenuated inversion recovery (T2Flair), diffusion‑weighted imaging (DWI) and spin-echo imaging (SE) sequences, in that order. The numbers of lesions identified by MRI were fewer than those identified by GRE T2*-WI. CT only identified 3 cases with large lesions combined with hemorrhage and calcification. These findings suggest that GRE T2*-WI is the first choice when diagnosing FCCM compared with CT and conventional MRI.
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February 2013
Volume 5 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
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Spandidos Publications style
Liu X, Wang S, Chi Z, Su L, Zhao X and Wang S: The value of T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation: A study of two families. Exp Ther Med 5: 448-452, 2013
APA
Liu, X., Wang, S., Chi, Z., Su, L., Zhao, X., & Wang, S. (2013). The value of T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation: A study of two families. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 5, 448-452. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2012.845
MLA
Liu, X., Wang, S., Chi, Z., Su, L., Zhao, X., Wang, S."The value of T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation: A study of two families". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 5.2 (2013): 448-452.
Chicago
Liu, X., Wang, S., Chi, Z., Su, L., Zhao, X., Wang, S."The value of T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation: A study of two families". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 5, no. 2 (2013): 448-452. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2012.845