J Korean Radiol Soc.
1994 Feb;30(2):213-218.
Imaging of the Sturge-Weber Syndrome
Abstract
- PURPOSE
The Purposes of this article are to illustrate the typical imaging features of eight patients with this syndrome and to discuss the advantage of each imaging modality with a concise review of literatures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed plain skull radiographs (6), computd tomographic(CT) scans(8), magnetic resonnance(MR) images(4) and cerebral angiograms(3) of eight patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome. We analyzed the radiographic findings of Stu rge-Weber syndrome and compared the findings of CT, MR and angiography.
RESULTS
Plain radiographs showed characteristic gyriform calcifications(3) after 2 years of age. CT scans excellently demonstrated cortical calcifications(5), prominently enhancing choroid plexi(5) and dilated periventricular veins(2). MR revealed dilated deep cerebral veins as tubular or spot-like signal void structures at periventricular areas(3) and showed stripes of cortical enhancement after gadolinium infection(2). Angiograph showed dilated tortuous medullary and deep cerebral veins(3) as the collateral pathways of blood shunting. MR was superior to CT in the detection of parenchymal atrophy, venous abnormalities and the extent of angiomatous involvement. Angiography showed enlarged deep cerebral or medullary veins better than MR imaging.
CONCLUSION
We think that each imaging modalit including CT, MR or angiography has unique advantages in the diagnosis of this syndrome but MR will be used frequently because of its superior ability for the detection of atrophy, vascular abnormalities and direct visualization of leptomeningeal angiomatosis with contrast enhancement.
