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Incidental abnormalities seen in research MRI brain studies of 1400 “normal” volunteer individuals aged 8-23 years were assessed. Ten percent showed incidental findings and 12 of these required further follow-up. Findings were not related to age but whites had higher numbers of pineal cysts and males had a higher incidence of cavum septum pellucidum, which was associated with psychosis-related symptoms.

Because hemorrhagic transformation affects treatment and patient prognosis, these authors explored whether CT perfusion predicts it. Twenty percent of their subjects developed hemorrhagic transformation and these patients did not differ from controls in terms of age, gender, time to presentation, or comorbidities. Only CBV was found to be lower and predictive of hemorrhagic transformation.

This article reviews the MRI and clinical findings in 70 spinal cord metastases; 20% of patients had multiple metastases and 8% were asymptomatic. Spinal cord metastases were the initial clinical presentation in 20% of patients. Nearly all metastases showed contrast enhancement and had extensive edema. Cysts and hemorrhage were, however, uncommon and nearly 60% of patients had other metastases to the CNS or that were seen in studies in other organs. Accompanying pial metastases were also common.