BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited disorder characterized by the presence of cortical tubers, the majority of which are solid and show high signal on FLAIR images. Low-signal tubers are less frequent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cystic cortical tubers in patients with TSC on the basis of their appearance on FLAIR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR examinations of 73 patients were retrospectively reviewed and 17 children (aged 25 days to 12.3 years) with a typical cyst-like tubers were selected for further analysis. The age of the patients, the number of lesions, and the shape and MR intensity were analyzed. RESULTS: Cyst-like cortical tubers were detected in 82% of children below 7 years of age and in 18% of those older then 7 years (P=0.00086). Most of the cystic lesions were of the shrunken type (72%), the expansile type being less frequently seen (28%). CONCLUSIONS: FLAIR images confirm the cystic character of some of the cortical tubers in TSC patients although the pathogenesis of cystic change is still unknown.
BACKGROUND:Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited disorder characterized by the presence of cortical tubers, the majority of which are solid and show high signal on FLAIR images. Low-signal tubers are less frequent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cystic cortical tubers in patients with TSC on the basis of their appearance on FLAIR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR examinations of 73 patients were retrospectively reviewed and 17 children (aged 25 days to 12.3 years) with a typical cyst-like tubers were selected for further analysis. The age of the patients, the number of lesions, and the shape and MR intensity were analyzed. RESULTS: Cyst-like cortical tubers were detected in 82% of children below 7 years of age and in 18% of those older then 7 years (P=0.00086). Most of the cystic lesions were of the shrunken type (72%), the expansile type being less frequently seen (28%). CONCLUSIONS: FLAIR images confirm the cystic character of some of the cortical tubers in TSC patients although the pathogenesis of cystic change is still unknown.
Authors: E Asano; D C Chugani; O Muzik; C Shen; C Juhász; J Janisse; J Ager; A Canady; J R Shah; A K Shah; C Watson; H T Chugani Journal: Neurology Date: 2000-05-23 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: B H Braffman; L T Bilaniuk; T P Naidich; N R Altman; M J Post; R M Quencer; R A Zimmerman; B A Brody Journal: Radiology Date: 1992-04 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: Anne Gallagher; Ellen P Grant; Neel Madan; Delma Y Jarrett; David A Lyczkowski; Elizabeth A Thiele Journal: J Neurol Date: 2010-03-30 Impact factor: 4.849