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Hemosiderin Detection inside the Mammillary Bodies Using Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping on Patients with
Yuri Nakamura1, Yasutaka Fushimi1, Takuya Hinoda1
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University.
Abstract:
Hemorrhage inside the mammillary bodies (MMBs) is known to be one of the findings of Wernicke encephalopathy. Brain MRI of two patients with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) demonstrated high susceptibility values representing hemosiderin deposition in MMBs by using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). QSM provided additional information of susceptibility values to susceptibility-weighted imaging in diagnosis of WKS.
Insights
Hemorrhage in mammillary bodies is a sign of Wernicke encephalopathy. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) on MRI scans revealed iron deposits in these areas for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Hemorrhage within the mammillary bodies (MMBs) is a recognized indicator of Wernicke encephalopathy.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a neurological disorder often associated with thiamine deficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in detecting hemosiderin deposition in the mammillary bodies of patients with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
- To assess if QSM provides supplementary diagnostic information beyond traditional susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for WKS.
Main Methods:
- Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on two patients diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
- Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) was employed to measure susceptibility values in the mammillary bodies.
- Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) was also utilized for comparison.
Main Results:
- QSM demonstrated high susceptibility values in the mammillary bodies of both WKS patients.
- These high susceptibility values correlated with hemosiderin deposition, indicative of prior hemorrhage.
- QSM provided quantifiable data on susceptibility, complementing the qualitative findings from SWI.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) effectively detects hemosiderin deposition in the mammillary bodies, a key finding in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
- QSM offers valuable quantitative information that enhances the diagnostic capabilities for WKS, particularly when combined with susceptibility-weighted imaging.

