MRI Flashcards
White matter characteristics on T1W & T2W
Hypointense on T2 & Hyperintense on T1
Myelin contains membrane phospholipids which have rapid T2 relaxation –> “MR invisible”
NO lipid peak on spectroscopy therefore signal intensity determined by other factors (e.g - 12% less H20 than grey matter)
Demyelination lesions are T2 hyper intense compared to WM b/c of increased H20 protons in lesions
Exit of ophthalmic branch of trigeminal?
Orbital fissure
Exit of mandibular branch of trigeminal?
Oval foramen
Exit of maxillary branch of trigeminal?
Round foramen
Where is the rostral alar foramen located?
Level of hamuli of pterygoids
Where are the caudal alar foramen & oval foramen located?
Level of TMJ
What is contained within the oval foramen?
Mandibular branch of CrN 5
What is contained within the foramen lacerum?
Internal carotid artery
Where is the foramen lacerum located?
Rostral part of basioccipital & flanked by small bony processes from tympanic bulla
What is contained within the tympani-occipital fissure?
CrN 9, CrN 10, CrN 11
What is the internal opening in dogs of the tympani-occipital fissure?
Jugular foramen
What is contained within the stylomastoid foramen?
CrN 7
True or false, leptomeningeal enhancement extends into the cerebral sulci?
True!
But, pachymeningeal enhancement does not.
Contrast enhancement of the pachymeninges involves what structures?
Dura mater and adjacent periosteum, ‘dural’ enhancement
Contrast enhancement of the leptomeninges involves what structures?
Arachnoid & pia mater, ‘pial’ enhancement
True or false, meningoencephalitis is more likely to involve only supratentorial portions of the brain in comparison to neoplasia?
False! More likely to involve BOTH supratentorial and infratentorial portions.
Yorkies and French Bulldogs have been reported to get which type of disease process causing cerebral & brainstem subcortical white matter & cortical gray matter T2 hyperintense & T1 hypointense lesions with possible ringlike enhancement?
Necrotizing leukoencephalitis
What are the MR characteristics of chronic distemper meningoencephalitis?
- Bilaterally symmetric T2 hyperintense white matter lesions at junction of parietal & frontal lobes
- T2 hyperintensity of the arbor vitae –> loss of cerebellar gray-white matter junction
- T2 hyperintensity of caudal brainstem
- Pachymeningeal contrast enhancement
- Lesions NOT visible on T1 pre & post
What is the most common MRI finding of FIP?
Contrast enhancement of the meninges & ventricular lining.
(Histopath lesions = meningitis, ventriculitis, choroiditis, & periventricular vasculitis)
What are two differences between MRI findings of FIP versus other feline meningoencephalitis?
1) Meningeal, ependymal, or periventricular mild to moderate contrast enhancement
2) If present, parenchymal lesions have distinct margins
What locations are most commonly affected by cryptococcosis fungal meningoencephalitis?
Frontal & olfactory lobes
What are the two categories of MRI lesions of Blastomycosis?
1) Mass lesions
2) Ependymal & ventricular changes
What is unique about focal mass like lesions from Blastomycosis?
Some have been reported to be T2 iso- or hypointense, although most are T2 hyperintense/T1 hypo- or isointense
What are 2 diseases with lesions that may be T2 iso- or hypointense & T1 hyperintense?
1) Blastomycosis
2) Cryptococcus
T2*W signal voids on gradient echo images indicate what?
Intralesional hemorrhage
Contrast enhancement of cochlear fluid can occur with what disease process?
Aspergillosis
Monocytotropic ehrlichiosis affects what portions of the brain?
Caudate nuclei & thalamus
Does cerebral grey or white matter have lower blood supply?
White matter
Abscess lesions that span both grey and white matter have what characteristics?
Can have relatively thinner medial rims (due to decreased blood supply of white matter) –> may predispose to rupture into adjacent ventricle
What is a distinguishing feature of brain abscessation on MRI?
T2W hypointense peripheral rim
- caused by paramagnetic free radicals w/in phagocytic macrophages
- concurrent susceptibility artifact in the rim on T2*W gradient echo images
If a brain abscess communicates with the ventricle, what will be the MRI findings?
Abnormal T1W intensity & incomplete T2 FLAIR suppression of ventricular CSF
What are the MRI changes associated with neosporosis?
1) Cerebellum atrophy, 2) Decreased grey/white matter distinction , 3) Widening of sulci between the folia, 4) T2 hyper, T1 hypo to iso variable contrast-enhancing lesions in thalamus, brainstem, internal capsule, or cerebral cortex
Which infectious disease can result in an extra-axial mass resembling a meningioma?
Toxoplasma-associated granuloma
What are the 3 types of brain herniation and explain what is herniated.
1) Foramen magnum herniation = herniation of caudal portion of cerebellum into & through foramen magnum
2) Subfalcine herniation = herniation of portion of the cerebral cortex across midline (causes ipsilateral cingulate gyrus to be pushed ventrally & under midline falx –> contralateral cingulate gyrus compression & depression of ipsilateral corpus callosum)
3) Caudal transtentorial herniation = displacement of portions of the cerebral cortex ventral to tentorium cerebelli (–> displacement of brainstem & rostral aspect of cerebellum away from the mass)
Which type of herniation can lead to obstructive hydrocephalus?
Caudal transtentorial herniation
What is the most common brain tumor in dogs & cats?
Meningiomas (D: 45-51.5%; C: 73%)
What is the origin of meningiomas?
Meningeal lining of brain
Name two dog breeds predisposed to meningiomas?
Golden Retrievers & Boxers
(DSH are also predisposed)
What is the most common location for meningiomas?
Rostrotentorial (especially fronto-olfactory)
- Association with caudal fossa or ventricular system also possible
Which tumor is associated with a dural tail sign?
Meningiomas
Where is the predominant location for cystic meningiomas?
Rostral fossa
What are 5 intra-axial tumors that may have meningeal involvement?
1) Meningiomas
2) DIsseminated histiocytic sarcoma
3) Lymphoma
4) Granular cell tumor
5) Metastatic disease (meningeal carcinomatosis)
What dog breeds are predisposed to glial tumors?
Boxers & Boston Terriers
What are the two most common glial tumors?
Oligodendrogliomas & astrocytomas
What are the common locations of glial tumors?
Cerebrum or thalamus. Cerebellum & caudal brainstem are LESS common.
What are some features that may be useful to differentiate an oligodendroglioma from an astrocytoma?
1) Location: caudal fossa more common for astrocytomas & oligodendrogliomas more likely to contact brain surface
2) Oligodendrogliomas more likely to cause ventricular distortion
3) Oligodendrogliomas can occasionally be intraventricular in origin & lead to drop metastasis (similar to more common intraventricular tumors such as choroid plexus tumors)
What are 4 ventricular tumors?
1) Choroid plexus tumors (dogs)
2) Ependymomas
3) Meningiomas
4) Neurocytomas
What is the most common ventricular tumor and who is predisposed to it?
Choroid plexus tumors (carcinomas > papillomas)
Golden Retrievers
What is the order from most common to least common in location of choroid plexus tumors?
4th ventricle > 3rd ventricle > lateral ventricles
________ spread/extension of a primary choroid plexus carcinoma may lead to multifocal T2 hyper/T1 hypo intense lesions.
Leptomeningeal
True or false, Ependymomas can have a periventricular origin?
True
What type of ventricular tumor accounts for the majority in cats?
Meningiomas
What is the histopathologic finding of meningioangiomatosis?
Leptomeningeal and meningovascular proliferation
This benign lesion has a predilection brain stem site…
Meningioangiomatosis
Describe the characteristics of a meningioangiomatosis lesion.
Leptomeningeal plaque extending along the perivascular spaces into adjacent parenchyma plaque. Usually superficial lesion extending from the subarachnoid space along the perivascular spaces into the adjacent parenchyma
Benign brainstem lesion that is T1 hyper to iso intense & T2, T2*, and T2 FLAIR hyperintense
Meningioangiomatosis
MRI findings in feline acromegaly?
1) Thickened frontal bone
2) Abnormal ST fluid accumulation in nasal cavities, sinuses, and pharynx
What pre-contrast feature is characteristic of pituitary microtumors?
T1W hyperintense neurohypophysis (due to vasopressin displacement)
What are characteristic MR signal intensities of melanoma metastases?
T1 hyperintense, T2 hypointense, with T2* signal void ( due to paramagnetic effects of melanin & hemorrhagic changes)
What is the second most common intracranial neoplasia in cats?
Lymphoma (14% of cases)
Is histiocytic sarcoma more likely intra- or extra-axial?
Extra-axial
What two intra-cranial, extra-axial masses share common imaging features with eachother? And how can you tell them apart?
Histiocytic sarcoma & Meningiomas
1) Transtentorial herniation & syringomyelia more prevalent with histiocytic sarcoma
2) Leptomeningeal involvement with contrast enhancement in Histiocytic sarcoma
Most granular cell tumor are reported in what location?
Meningeal/extra-axial
Often plaque-like & extensive along the convexity of the cerebrum
What are the signal characteristics of granular cell tumors?
Iso- to hyperintense to gray matter on T2W, variably intensity on T1W although spontaneous T1 pre-contrast hyperintensity is common. Strong contrast enhancement
What disease results in near complete destruction and/or lack of development of the neocortex?
Hydranencephaly (typically caused by in utero viral infection)
In cases of hydranencephaly, the fluid-filled cavity is contiguous with which ventricle?
Lateral ventricle
What brain lobes are affected by hydranencephaly?
Total loss of parietal & temporal lobes with partial loss of frontal & occipital lobes on the affected side.
How is porencephaly different from hydranencephaly?
Porencephaly - cystic cavities present in cerebrum due to cell destruction or failure to develop.
Hydranencephaly - in utero viral infection —> loss of neocortex
Describe the MRI findings associated with porencephaly?
- Unilateral or bilateral lesions
-Commonly wedge shaped & variable size - Cavities may communicate with ventricles or subarachnoid space
What is the origin of intracranial intra-arachnoid diverticula?
Arise from splitting/duplication of arachnoidae & occur in close association with arachnoid cisterns.
(cisterns are focal expansions of subarachnoid space w/ increased separation between pia mater & arachnoid, pooling of CSF, & decreased # of trabeculae
Where is the quadrigeminal cistern located?
Between the splenium of the corpus callosum & rostral portion of the cerebellum. Separated from 3rd ventricle by thin membrane
Which dog & cat breeds are predisposed to intracranial intra-arachnoid diverticula?
Small breeds, especially Shih Tzus & other brachycephalics as well as Persian cats
How does an intracranial epidermoid cyst originate?
Failure of neural tube closure when epithelial ectoderm becomes entrapped w/in nervous tissue & forms a cystic mass
What are the two most locations for intracranial epidermoid cysts?
Cerebellopontine angle or 4th ventricle
What MRI sequence can be used to differentiate intracranial intra-arachnoid diverticula & intracranial epidermoid cysts? How so?
T2-FLAIR. Epidermoid cysts will remain hyperintense while diverticula suppress (because fluid is iso intense to CSF)
True or false, ependymal cysts are associated with the ventricular system?
False
What are the characteristics of Dandy-Walker syndrome?
Partial or complete absence of cerebellar vermis & cystic dilation of the 4th ventricle
What syndrome causes failure of forebrain bifurcation? And what are 3 other characteristics associated with this condition?
Holoprosencephaly
- Absence or reduction in size of midline prosencephalic structures
- Incomplete separation of normal paired forebrain structures
-Hydrocephalus
Which is more common, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke?
Ischemic
Does grey or white matter have more cerebral blood flow?
Grey
-some coupling of CBF with metabolism (e.g. thalamus has greater perfusion)
When does vasogenic edema start & when does it peak?
Begins w/in 24 hours (after breakdown of cell memor & BBB)
-Peaks at 3-4 days
Which lobes of the brain have the greatest perfusion?
Occipital & parietal
What regions of the brain are particularly susceptible to ischemia?
- Grey matter > white
- Occipital & parietal lobes
- Certain regions of the hippocampus :: Cornu ammonis 1, cerebellum, & caudate nucleus
The size of ischemic penumbra can be estimated using what sequences?
Combo of DWI & PWI (perfusion-weighted imaging)
-DWI shows infarct core
-PWI shows area of ischemi a
What are 3 predisposing factors for stroke?
-PLN
- Hypertension
- Hypercoagulability
What 3 dog breeds are predisposed to ischemic infarcts?
Sighthounds, Greyhounds (hypertension) & spaniels
What is the appearance of acute infarction on DWI & ADC maps, respectively.
Restricted diffusion leads to DWI hyperintensity & low signal on ADC
What is T2 shine through?
A mimic of restricted diffusion that occurs as high signal on DWI images (remember DWI images usually have some T2 weighting)
What is the most common site of territorial infarcts in dogs?
Cerebellum
What is the vascular territory covered by the rostral cerebral artery?
Rostromedial & dorsal surfaces of cerebral cortex along both sides of medial longitudinal fissure
What is the vascular territory covered by the middle cerebral artery?
Lateral cerebral cortex
What is the vascular territory covered by the caudal cerebral artery?
Caudomedial and dorsal surfaces of cerebral cortex along both sides of medial longitudinal fissure
What is the vascular territory covered by the rostral cerebellar artery?
Rostral part of cerebellar hemisphere, vermis, & dorsolateral brainstem
What is the vascular territory covered by the caudal cerebellar artery?
Caudal & ventral cerebellum
Lateral medulla
What is the primary arterial supply to the brain in dogs?
Internal carotid & basilar arteries.
(Form an arterial ring on ventral surface of brain adjacent to pituitary)
What vessels form the circle of Willis?
- Internal carotid
-Basilar arteries - Rostral & caudal communicating
What structure gives rise to the rostral cerebellar arteries?
Caudal communicating artery
What is the main arterial blood supply to the brain in cats?
Maxillary & pharyngeal arteries
What are the differences between the Circle of Willis in cats versus dogs?
- Circle is incomplete
- External carotid supples almost the entire brain except caudal brainstem
- Caudal brainstem supplied by vertebral arteries
What are the regions most commonly affected by territorial infarcts in dogs?
Regions supplied by rostral cerebellar & middle cerebral arteries.