Random Neuro Facts

Question 1

Modic 1

Answer 1

T2 hyperintense
T1 hypointense
edema

Question 2

Modic 2

Answer 2

T2 hyperintense
T1 hyperintese
fatty proliferation

Question 3

Modic 3

Answer 3

T2 hypointense
T1 hypointense
sclerosis

Question 4

synovial cyst

Answer 4

epidural cyst associated with facet arthropathy
T2 bright
T1 mixed depending on presence of internal hemorrhage

Question 5

ossification of the PLL

Answer 5

bulky calc of PLL.

associated with DISH

Question 6

T1 hyperintense things

Answer 6

fat
hemorrhage / slow moving blood 
Ca+ (when not in bone) 
Minerals
proteinaceous fluids
melanin
gadolinium

Question 7

Causes of CSF nonsuppression in FLAIR

Answer 7

pus and hemorrhage are most common

oxygenation can too.

Question 8

Confirm successful contrast uptake on T1 by looking at these structures

Answer 8

Pituitary gland
Pineal gland
nasal mucosa

Question 9

T2 hypointense things

Answer 9

Ca+
Hemorrhage
fibrous lesions
Highly cellular tumors
Vascular flow void
Desiccated mucin

Question 10

Reduced diffusion ddx

Answer 10

acute stroke
bacterial abscess
Highly cellular tumors
epidermoid cyst 
herpes encephalitis
Creutzfeldt Jakob disease

Question 11

GRE multiple dark spots ddx

Answer 11

Hypertensive microbleeds (in bg, thalami, cerebellum, pons)

amyloid angiopathy

cavernous malformations

axonal shear injury

hemorrhagic mets

Question 12

Burst fracture (C2)

Answer 12

compression fx with disruption of posterior vertebral body cortex.

Question 13

Hangman fracture

Answer 13

traumatic anterolithesis of C2 with fracture of bilateral pars interarticularis

Question 14

clay shovelers fracture

Answer 14

fracture through spinous process of a vertebra esp in lower cervical and upper thoracic spine

Question 15

hyperflexion

Answer 15

Hyperflexion with compression:
primarily anterior/middle column injury. hyperkyphosis, anterior compression/teardrop fx. vertebral bodies inferior to injury will be forced back causing cord injury. Spinous process may be fanned out.

Hyperflexion with distraction:
primarily middle/posterior column injury. hyperkyphosis, spinous process fanned out, dislocated facet joints

Question 16

jefferson fracture

Answer 16

multiple fractures of C1 arch

Question 17

vertebral body hemangioma

Answer 17

CT: thickened vertically aligned trabeculae (polka dot/ corduroy) in fatty stroma

MR: T1 and T2 hyperintense.

Question 18

Astrocytoma in spinal cord

Answer 18

T1 hypo to isointense. Minority have hyper due to blood products

T2 hyperintense

T2* may be hypo if blood products

T1 post enhance partially to total

May be associated with syrinx

Question 19

colloid cyst

Answer 19

Wedged in foramen of Monroe with fornix draping it

appearance depends on cholesterol content

NECT: usually hyperdense. can vary

T1: hyperintense. 1/3 isointense
T2: isointense. can have "black hole"
FLAIR: does not suppress
DWI: no restriction
T1 C+: no enhancement. may have peripheral rim enhancement. 

ddx: Neurocysticercosis