Magnetic resonance imaging of the so-called cerebral cryptic angiomas

Cerebral cryptic angiomas are vascular malformations with variable histological appearance, but with similar radiological features. Angiography does not usually visualize the lesion. Computer tomography often detects the malformation, but frequently fails to make classify correctly. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the cryptic angioma is studied best on T2 weighted images. The pattern of signal intensities differs both among and within the lesions. Evidence of small hemorrhages of different ages and flow phenomena are seen in all malformations. A total of 51 angiomas were demonstrated in 38 patients by MRI (excluding one patient with a very large number of angiomas). Enhanced or plain CT scans depicted respectively 16 and 6 lesions. In one case angiography was the only way to detect an angioma. Currently, MRI is the most sensitive method for the detection of cerebral cryptic angiomas.