The Initial Study of Susceptibility Weighted Imaging in Brain Vascular Malformations

Objective To discuss the value of susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI)in the brain vascular malformations.Materials and Methods 11 patients(7 males and 4 females,mean age 25 years)with brain vascular malformations including 6 cases of cavernous angioma,3 cases of arteriovenous malformation,2 cases of venous malformation were examined with a 3.0 T MR scanner.The sequences included T1,post-contrast T1,T2,fluid attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR)and SWI.The images of SWI were reconstructed by minimum intensity projection in 10 mm thickness.According to surgical findings and DSA,the comparison of SWI and conventional MR sequences was obtained.Results According to surgical findings and DSA,SWI showed all the nidi clearly.In 6 cases of patients with cavernous angioma,15 lesions are shown by SWI,only 10 shown by conventional sequence.In 3 cases of arteriovenous malformation,SWI depicted more lesions than conventional sequence did in 2 cases.SWI revealed 3 draining veins,while conventional sequences only depicted one.While both conventional sequences and SWI showed 2 feeding arteries.Calcification in 1 AVM patient was also showed by SWI.Dilated pulp veins and gross draining vein were all clearly shown by SWI but not distinct in conventional sequence in patients with venous malformation.Conclusion SWI should be used as a routine MR sequence for detecting brain vascular malformation especially low flow vascular malformations,and providing more complete and detailed information combining with other sequence.