J Korean Radiol Soc.  2003 Jan;48(1):1-6. 10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.1.1.

Comparison between FLAIR Images and T2-weighted Fast Spin-echo Images of Cerebral Territory and Lacunar Infarction

• Paeng MH
• Choi HY
• Lim SM
• Lee JS

• KMID: 2103695
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.1.1

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess the significance of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of intracranial infarctions and to find out differential points between central lacunar infarctions and perivascular spaces.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We consecutively selected 25 cases of territorial infarction in 20 patients, 37 cases of central infarction in 40 patients, and 30 patients with perivascular space. Signal intensity and lesion conspicuity were analyzed and compared between FLAIR and FSE T2-weighted images, and differences in signal intensity between central infarction and perivascular spaces were determined.
RESULTS
Lesion conspicuity for FLAIR was better than for T2-weighted images in 12 and 15, worse in 4 and 24, and similar in 9 and 16 of territorial and central infarctions, respectively. In nine cases of territorial and one case of central infarction, there was associated hemorrhage. At FLAIR imaging, perivascular spaces showed a fine round low signal without a peripheral high signal rim in 17 patients but no demonstrable signals in 15. Differential diagnosis of perivascular spaces and central infarction was thus not difficult.
CONCLUSION
FLAIR MRI was useful in the diagnosis of infarctions and in differentiating between central small lacular infarctions and perivascular spaces.

Keyword

Brain, MR; Brain, infarction; Magnetic resonance (MR), pulse sequences

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Hemorrhage
Humans
Infarction
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Stroke, Lacunar*