Diffusion-weighted MR findings in isolated angiitis of the central nervous system (IACNS).
OBJECTIVE
To describe the diffusion-weighted MR (DWI) findings of isolated angiitis of the central nervous system (IACNS) and narrow the differential diagnosis.


METHODS
The DWI findings of two IACNS patients. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in the abnormal lesions, and DWI and T2-weighted MR images were visually inspected.


RESULTS
IACNS was diagnosed based on clinical history, MR findings and cerebral angiographic findings. DWI showed hyperintense lesions with heterogeneous ADC values (287-1359 x 10(-6) mm2/s), which indicate the coexistence of cytotoxic and vasogenic oedema.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the various stages of inflammatory process with ischaemia might exist in IACNS and allow a differentiation from the usual arterial ischaemic infarction. DWI with ADC map can be a useful non-invasive diagnostic test increasing specificity in the diagnosis of IACNS, combined with conventional MRI and cerebral angiography.
Lee
S-Y
SY
Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Neuroscience Research Institute of SNUMRC, Seoul, South Korea.
Chu
K
K
Park
K-I
KI
Jeong
S-W
SW
Yoon
B-W
BW
D000328:Adult; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020293:Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis*