RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hyperintense Putaminal Rim Sign Is Not a Hallmark of Multiple System Atrophy at 3T
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 2238
OP 2242
VO 26
IS 9
A1 Lee, Wei-Hsing
A1 Lee, Chau-Chin
A1 Shyu, Woei-Cherng
A1 Chong, Pau-Nyen
A1 Lin, Shinn-Zong
YR 2005
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/26/9/2238.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hyperintense putaminal rim (HPR) on the T2-weighted imaging, which has been observed in our daily practice while reading 3T brain images, has been described as a finding typical of multiple system atrophy (MSA). We hypothesized that the HPR sign is not an exclusive hallmark of MSA at a high magnetic field strength, but rather may be a normal finding.METHODS: Ten consecutive clinically healthy age-matched adults who showed recognizable HPR at 3T were subsequently examined on a 1.5T imaging system within 2 hours. MR examination included axial T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE), fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) on a 3T scanner, and equivalent T2-weighted FSE at 1.5T. MR images were obtained parallel to the intercommissural plane. All the images were interpreted by 2 experienced neuroradiologists.RESULTS: All 10 subjects (3 men and 7 women; aged 52 ± 6.1 years [range, 44–61 years], expressed as mean ± SD) with the positive HPR sign on axial T2-weighted FSE at 3T had negative findings at 1.5T. Such hyperintense rim was also vague or absent on the 3T-FLAIR images.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the HPR at 3T scans is a nonspecific, normal finding. FLAIR may be helpful in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with MSA in case of isolated HPR at 3T.