The value of gradient echo T2*-weighted imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of gradient echo T2'* -weighted imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation (FCCM). Methods Twenty-six members in 2 families of FCCM were examined at 3.0 T by using CT, conventional MRI and GRE T2'*2'-WI sequences to detect numbers of FCCM. Results Twelve cases of FCCM were found by GRE T2'*-WI sequences. These patients all had multiple lesions(average of 23). The lesions were mainly located in ganglia area, followed by cortico-subcortical, thalamus, cerebellar and brain stem. These lesions appeared as special reticulated core of mixed signal intensity with a surrounding rim of decreased signal intensity representing bemosiderin from previous hemorrhages. The numbers of lesions (average of 5-17) and cases of FCCM (average of 3-9) examined by the conventional MRI were decreasing in the order of SE, DWI, T2FLAIR, T1WI and T2WI, each less than GRE T2'*-WI. CT only identified 3 cases with big lesions combined with hemorrhage and calcification.Conclusions GRE T2'*-WI could be a better choice of MRI sequence in diagnosing FCCM compared with CT and conventional MRI. Key words: Central nervous system vascular malformations; Magnetic resonance imaging