Guangbin Wang MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jiani Hu, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

 To study the value of SWI in detecing and diagnosing Sturge-Weber Syndrome comparing with conventional T1-weighted contrast enhanced imaging.

Thirteen children with the diagnosis of SWS were recruited prospectively. MR studies were carried out on a 1.5 T Siemens Sonata system using the standard head coil. The MR protocol includes 3D high resolution SWI and gadolinium-enhanced T1W. The gadolinium-enhanced T1W was performed after injection of 0.1mmol/kg Gd-DTPA, Magnevist. The SWI acquisition was performed with a turbo 3D gradient echo sequence with FA= 20°, TR/TE=89/40 ms, EPI factor= 5, acquisition matrix= 512x256x48, FOV= 256x256x96 mm3. Flow compensation was applied in all 3 directions. Both magnitude and phase images were saved for further post-processing and analysis. Two investigators evaluated both SWI and T1-Gd images and made a consensus agreement on six types of imaging findings by using a four-grade scoring system. The performance of SWI vs. T1-Gd images was then compared for each type of abnormality.

SWI was superior to T1-Gd in identifying the enlarged transmedullary veins (p=0.0020), abnormal periventricular veins (p=0.0078), cortical gyriform abnormalities (p=0.0020), and grey matter/white matter junction abnormalities (p=0.0078). Conversely, T1-Gd was better than SWI in identifying enlarged choroid plexus (p=0.0050) and leptomeningeal abnormalities (p=0.0050).

High resolution SWI offers the potential to visualize the presence of subtle venous abnormalities and the typical cortical gyriform calcification. It provides useful diagnostic information which could complement to the standard contrast enhanced T1W in the clinical setting for SWS patients. It is particularly suitable to monitor the progression of the SWS disease longitudinally.

SWI is superior over conventional T1WI with contrast in revealing prominent transmedullary venous structures, connecting periventricular veins, and the typical cortical gyriform.

Wang, G, Hu, J, Magnetic Resonance Susceptibility-weighted Imaging Complements Conventional Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI in Characterizing Brain Abnormalities in Sturge-Weber Syndrome.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6009322.html