Cyst-like cortical tubers in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex: MR imaging with the FLAIR sequence.
BACKGROUND
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited disorder characterized by the presence of cortical tubers, the majority of which are solid and show high signal on FLAIR images. Low-signal tubers are less frequent.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate cystic cortical tubers in patients with TSC on the basis of their appearance on FLAIR images.


METHODS
MR examinations of 73 patients were retrospectively reviewed and 17 children (aged 25 days to 12.3 years) with a typical cyst-like tubers were selected for further analysis. The age of the patients, the number of lesions, and the shape and MR intensity were analyzed.


RESULTS
Cyst-like cortical tubers were detected in 82% of children below 7 years of age and in 18% of those older then 7 years (P=0.00086). Most of the cystic lesions were of the shrunken type (72%), the expansile type being less frequently seen (28%).


CONCLUSIONS
FLAIR images confirm the cystic character of some of the cortical tubers in TSC patients although the pathogenesis of cystic change is still unknown.
Jurkiewicz
Elzbieta
E
MR Unit, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al Dzieci Polskich 20, Warsaw, Poland. e-jurkiewicz@o2.pl
Jozwiak
Sergiusz
S
Bekiesinska-Figatowska
Monika
M
Pakula-Kosciesza
Iwona
I
Walecki
Jerzy
J
D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*