Sandlike appearance of Virchow-Robin spaces in early multiple sclerosis: A novel neuroradiologic marker

Anat Achiron*, Meir Faibel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The distinctive hyperintensity of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions on T2-weighted brain MR images is well recognized. However, Virchow-Robin spaces (VRSs), especially in early MS, have not been described. Our purpose was to determine the frequency of VRSs in recent-onset MS. METHODS: Brain MR imaging was performed in 71 patients (mean age, 26.8 years; range, 20-41 years; 47 women, 24 men) within 3 months of MS onset. Proton density-, T2-, and TI-weighted images were obtained. Age-and sex-matched control subjects (mean age, 27.2 years; range, 22-41 years; 38 women, 22 men) who underwent brain MR imaging as a part of headache evaluation, and findings that were interpreted as normal served as controls. On high-convexity images (axial sections above the upper corpus callosum border), VRSs were identified as small (<2-mm diameter) sandlike areas isointense to CSF. VRSs were graded 0-3. RESULTS: VRSs were visualized in high-convexity white matter in 55% of patients and 7% of control subjects (P < .001). In patients, 15% of VRSs were grade 1 (fewer than four), 23% were grade 2 (four to seven), and 62% were grade 3 (more than seven). In control subjects, all identified VRSs were grade 1. Among patients with and those without VRSs, age at onset, neurologic disability, and specific functional system involvement or mono-versus polysymptomatic involvement at onset did not differ. CONCLUSION: VRSs were more frequent in patients with recent-onset MS than in control subjects. The sandlike appearance of VRSs may be a neuroradiologic marker that reflects early inflammatory changes in MS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)376-380
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology
Volume23
Issue number3
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sandlike appearance of Virchow-Robin spaces in early multiple sclerosis: A novel neuroradiologic marker'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this