MRI of radiation injury to the brain
Nine patients with a history of radiation of 2400-6000 rad (24-60 Gy) to the brain were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). MRI demonstrated abnormalities in the periventricular white matter in all patients. The abnormal periventricular signal was characterized by a long T2 and was demonstrated best on coronal spin-echo (SE) 1000/80 images. A characteristic scalloped appearance at the junction of the gray-white matter was seen on MR images of seven patients, and represented extensive white-matter damage involving the more peripheral arcuate fiber systems. This differs from transependymal absorption, which is seen best on SE 3000/80 images and has a smooth peripheral margin. Cranial CT demonstrated white-matter lucencies in six cases but generally failed to display the extent of white-matter injury demonstrated by MRI. MRI is uniquely suited to detect radiation injury to the brain because of its extreme sensitivity to white-matter edema.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
- OSTI ID:
- 5269210
- Journal Information:
- AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Vol. 1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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BRAIN
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EDEMA
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
MEDICINE
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ORGANS
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560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man