MR of brain radiation injury: experimental studies in cats

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 427 - 430
• Main Authors: Hecht-Leavitt, C, Grossman, RI, Curran, WJ, Jr, McGrath, JT, Biery, DN, Joseph, PM, Nelson, DF
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL Am Soc Neuroradiology 01-05-1987; American Society of Neuroradiology
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Injuries - pathology; Cats; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Medical sciences; Myelin Sheath - pathology; Necrosis; Nervous system; Radiation Injuries, Experimental - pathology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Intracranial; Nervous system diseases; Radiation injury; Brain (Vertebrata); Tumor; Experimental study; Radiotherapy; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X

Two of six cats receiving small-field, single-dose, brain irradiation of 35 Gy with 6 MeV photons developed brain abnormalities in the irradiated area on MR images at 6 and 8 months, respectively, after treatment. The lesions were of high intensity on T2-weighted images and did not enhance after IV administration of gadolinium-DTPA. An additional lesion in one of these cats displayed high signal on T2-weighted images and enhanced on T1-weighted images after IV gadolinium-DTPA. Pathologic correlation revealed that the nonenhancing T2-weighted lesions consisted of edema or demyelinated regions without inflammation while the gadolinium-enhanced lesion demonstrated necrosis with inflammatory infiltrate. Focal brain irradiation may produce noninflammatory demyelination and necrosis. These histologic entities may be potentially distinguished on MR with IV gadolinium-DTPA.