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Neuropediatrics 2009; 40(5): 234-238
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1246158
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Unilateral Dilation of Virchow-Robin Spaces in Early Childhood

K. Brockmann1 , S. Gröschel1 , S. Dreha-Kulaczewski1 , K. Reinhardt1 , J. Gärtner1 , P. Dechent2
  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
  • 2MR-Research in Neurology and Psychiatry, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 13.05.2009

accepted 09.12.2009

Publication Date:
10 March 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Observations of extreme unilateral widening of Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) are rare and hitherto confined to adult, mainly old-aged patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in two unrelated boys aged 3 years with developmental coordination disorders. In one of these patients, follow-up MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were carried out 5 years later. In both boys, MRI incidentally revealed numerous intracerebral cysts strictly confined to one hemisphere. Localization, size, shape, and signal isointensity to cerebrospinal fluid indicated unilateral marked widening of VRS. In one patient, follow-up investigation after 5 years showed unchanged dilation of VRS on MRI, but mild facial hemihypertrophy, ipsilateral to the widened VRS. DTI indicated displacement rather than disruption of fiber tracks adjacent to the dilated VRS. Unilateral widening of VRS may be detected fortuitously on neuroimaging already in early childhood.

Key words

Virchow-Robin spaces - diffusion tensor imaging - facial hemihypertrophy

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Correspondence

Knut Brockmann

Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology

Georg August University

Robert Koch Straße 40

37075 Göttingen

Germany

Phone: +49/551/39-6210

Fax: +49/551/39-6252

Email: kbrock@med.uni-goettingen.de