Tuberous sclerosis: characteristics at CT and MR imaging

Radiology. 1988 May;167(2):527-32. doi: 10.1148/radiology.167.2.3357966.

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings were reviewed in 26 patients with tuberous sclerosis. All patients underwent CT; 16 patients underwent both. The CT features included subependymal nodules in 25 of 26 patients (96%) and calcifications in 23 of 26 (88%). Parenchymal hamartomas (cortical tubers) were seen in 23 of 26 patients (88%). These lesions had less attenuation than surrounding brain in 16 of 26 patients (62%) and were calcified in 14 of 26 patients (54%). Contrast enhancement of a lesion, indicating a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, occurred in three of 26 patients (12%). The MR imaging characteristics included subependymal nodules (periventricular nodules) of intermediate signal intensity in ten of the 16 patients (63%). Parenchymal hamartomas, demonstrated in 15 of the 16 patients (94%), usually exhibited long T1 and T2 relaxation characteristics. The pattern was noted to be reversed in the two newborn patients (13%). One parent demonstrated a forme fruste at CT but had a normal MR image.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / diagnosis
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / diagnostic imaging*