Dyke award. Influence of fiber tracts on the CT appearance of cerebral edema: anatomic-pathologic correlation.

Four monkeys received cold-induced lesions provoking cerebral edema. The edema-Evans blue complex was shown in these animals to migrate along known short and long association bundles. Computed tomographic findings in 12 human cases are discussed and correlated; all exhibit unencapsulated fluid (edema, blood, or tumor) to track along the association pathways. Major fiber bundles are separated into those that permit the spread of edema and those that seem to be resistant. The radiologic and diagnostic significance of the association bundles is discussed and their connections are reviewed.