CNS Vasculitis and MRI

[ampky]

Can small vessel CNS Vasculitis be detected using MRI of the brain?

[Ahrdee]

According to this 2002 article in most cases small-vessel CNS vasculitis is too small to be seen on a MRI, (lesions are below its limit of resolultion, which is about 1mm) . So it is possible to have small-vessel vasculitis in CNS and a "clean" brain MRI.

"Suspicion of the disorder having been entertained, confirmation or exclusion of cerebral vasculitis presents a second serious – and in some cases, quite insurmountable
– set of problems. There are no serological or other blood or spinal fluid laboratory tests of any sensitivity or specificity; imaging by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is likewise wholly lacking in sensitivity; angiography is of
questionable use"

European Journal of Neurology 2002, 9: 343–347
The recognition, diagnosis and management of cerebral vasculitis:
a European survey
The EFNS Cerebral Vasculitis Task Force

[ampky]

Thanks for your help with this!

[tonyad]

absolutly!  A great way to detect it is with MRI.

~T

[Jack54]

I have small vessel disease (SVD) of the heart and brain due to advanced arteriosclerosis. I have had 3 brain MRIs that the SVD showed up on.

I just googled small vessel CNS vasculitis and it says that an MRI is one method used to determine/detect this condition.

I hope this helps :)

Jack



http://vasculitis.med.jhu.edu/typesof/cns.html#diagnosis