RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 MR Imaging Study of Edema-like Change along the Optic Tract in Patients with Pituitary Region Tumors
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 336
OP 342
VO 24
IS 3
A1 Saeki, Naokatsu
A1 Uchino, Yoshio
A1 Murai, Hisayuki
A1 Kubota, Motoo
A1 Isobe, Kouichi
A1 Uno, Takashi
A1 Sunami, Kenro
A1 Yamaura, Akira
YR 2003
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/24/3/336.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Edema-like change along the optic tract commonly occurs in association with craniopharyngiomas. The aim of this study was to clarify whether it occurs in association with other common pituitary region tumors and to elucidate its mechanism as seen on MR images.METHODS: Fifty patients with pituitary region tumors that were touching or compressing the optic pathway underwent heavily T2-weighted MR imaging before and after treatment.RESULTS: Edema-like change along the optic tract was visible on the images of four of 25 pituitary adenomas, eight of 11 craniopharyngiomas, one germ cell tumor, and one malignant lymphoma and was not visible on the images of seven meningiomas and five Rathke’s cleft cysts. After therapeutic decompression of the optic pathway, the edema-like change disappeared and large Virchow-Robin spaces, present under normal conditions, became visible along the optic tract. Comparison of pre- and post-treatment coronal and axial view MR images revealed that the edema-like change had been located at, along, and/or around the large Virchow-Robin spaces along the optic tract.CONCLUSION: Edema-like change occurs in association with pituitary region tumors other than craniopharyngiomas. It is related with distension of normally present large Virchow-Robin spaces adjacent to the optic tract. Because Virchow-Robin spaces are speculated to be a drainage route of interstitial fluid into the subarachnoid space, their distension may be related to the fluid retention in and along the Virchow-Robin spaces, the outlet of which into the subpial and/or subarachnoid space(s) is blocked by pituitary region tumors.