What is a T2 hyperintensity?
A hyperintensity or T2 hyperintensity is an area of high intensity on types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain of a human or of another mammal that reflect lesions produced largely by demyelination and axonal loss.
What conditions can produce bilateral basal ganglia T2 hyperintensities on MRI scan?
The causes of basal ganglia T2 hyperintensity can be remembered using the mnemonic LINT:
- lymphoma.
- ischemia. hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
- neurodegenerative. autoimmune encephalitis (e.g. anti-D2 dopamine antibody encephalitis)
- metabolic. extrapontine myelinolysis.
- toxins. carbon monoxide neurotoxicity.
- infections.
What are basal ganglia lesions?
Basal ganglia disease is a group of physical problems that occur when the group of nuclei in the brain known as the basal ganglia fail to properly suppress unwanted movements or to properly prime upper motor neuron circuits to initiate motor function.
What are T2 lesions in the brain?
T2 weighted imaging identifies MS lesions as high signal foci against the low signal background of white matter. However, periventricular lesions are often indistinguishable from the adjacent CSF which is also of high signal with T2 weighting.
What is the basal ganglia responsible for?
The “basal ganglia” refers to a group of subcortical nuclei responsible primarily for motor control, as well as other roles such as motor learning, executive functions and behaviors, and emotions.
What neurological problem is associated with the basal ganglia?
Damage to the basal ganglia cells may cause problems controlling speech, movement, and posture. This combination of symptoms is called parkinsonism. A person with basal ganglia dysfunction may have difficulty starting, stopping, or sustaining movement.
What causes T2 hyperintensity in the basal ganglia?
The causes of basal ganglia T2 hyperintensity can be remembered using the mnemonic LINT: lymphoma. ischemia hypoxia. venous infarction (internal cerebral vein thrombosis) neurodegenerative / metabolic autoimmune encephalitis (e.g. anti-D2 dopamine antibody encephalitis) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
What are T2 hyperintense lesions in the brain?
T2 hyperintense lesions in the brain are commonly seen with multiple sclerosis, small strokes, migraines, tumors, inflammation and many other conditions. T2 hyperintense lesions are seen in other organs, as well.
What causes hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging?
The hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging supposedly results from an abnormal myelin signal [ 1 ]. Increased signal on diffusion-weighted sequences may be seen with normal, decreased, or elevated ADC values within the basal ganglia and pons and is most consistent with myelin destruction [ 9, 10] (Fig. 2C). View larger version (178K)
Why are the basal ganglia so susceptible to hypoxia?
The basal ganglia contain inherently high concentrations of trace minerals such as iron, copper, and manganese, many of which are important cofactors for metabolic activity [ 1 ]. The basal ganglia have a high metabolic rate, which makes them particularly susceptible to damage from hypoxia or anoxia [ 1 ].