Cerebral cavernous hemangiomas at 7 Tesla: initial experience.
OBJECTIVE
Cavernous malformations (cavernomas) occur in 0.4%-0.9% of the population. The most common symptoms of cavernous malformations are seizures. An improved detection of small cavernomas might possibly help to clarify cryptogenic seizures, which represent 30% of all seizures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of magnetic resonance imaging at a field strength of 7 T in the detection of cavernomas.


METHODS
Ten consecutive patients with known cavernomas were enrolled in this study. First a T2*-weighted gradient echo sequence was performed at 1.5 T with a slice thickness of 6 mm in axial orientation. Subsequently, the examination was repeated at 7 T. Both examinations were independently read by two blinded senior neuroradiologists. Localization and dimension of the hypointensities were recorded.


RESULTS
One additional hypointensity was detected in one patient, which was not visible in the 1.5 T examination even retrospectively. In another patient with known cavernomatosis, innumerable new small hypointense lesions were detected at 7 T.


CONCLUSIONS
Our small series suggests that ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging at 7 T improves the detection of cavernomas.
Schlamann
Marc
M
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany. marc.schlamann@uni-due.de
Maderwald
Stefan
S
Becker
Wolfgang
W
Kraff
Oliver
O
Theysohn
Jens M
JM
Mueller
Oliver
O
Sure
Ulrich
U
Wanke
Isabel
I
Ladd
Mark E
ME
Forsting
Michael
M
Schaefer
Lena
L
Gizewski
Elke R
ER
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity