laclothing.blogg.se

Perivascular spaces that surround perforating arteries at the base of the skull, extending into the basal ganglia and internal capsule appear to communicate directly with the subarachnoid space whereas those that surround perforating vessels in the subcortical white matter appear to remain subpial 20. Perivascular spaces are normal, usually microscopic structures that consist of a single or double layer of invaginated pia and basement membrane - depending on location - surrounding small cerebral blood vessels 8,14,20. The relationship between prominent perivascular spaces and disease remains poorly understood 18. More recently it has been postulated that an increased number of perivascular spaces may be a marker of evolving neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease 18. Even when enlarged they are almost invariably asymptomatic, even when quite large. Rarely, they can cause mass-effect and can result in obstructive hydrocephalus. Perivascular spaces are normal anatomical structures. Similarly, the association of enlarged perivascular spaces with subsequent development of dementia has been reported but variably so 20.Įnlarged perivascular spaces have also been reported with greater frequency in a variety of settings, albeit generally in smaller size cohorts 1,4,11,20: The association remains controversial 14. periventricular white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts. This is related to the observation that, although a few scattered perivascular spaces are a nearly ubiquitous imaging finding, the number and prominence of these spaces increases with aging, along with other findings of microvascular disease, e.g. More recently, studies have suggested an association between extensive basal ganglia perivascular spaces ( état criblé) and changes of chronic microvascular ischemic disease 12-14,20. Previously, enlarged perivascular spaces were believed to be entirely incidental findings, mostly significant so as not to be mistaken for a more sinister pathology. Depending on defining criteria, they are seen in 50-100% of patients 2,3. Perivascular spaces are very common, and increasingly seen with better MRI image resolution.