Perivascular spaces and where to find them - MR imaging and evaluation methods

Area of Science:

• Neuroradiology
• Neuroimaging
• Cerebrovascular Research

Background:

• Perivascular spaces, also known as Virchow-Robin spaces, are fluid-filled areas around cerebral vessels, known for over 150 years.
• Recent interest stems from their potential role in the glymphatic system and implications for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods for imaging and evaluating perivascular spaces.
• To discuss the morphological characteristics and imaging techniques for perivascular spaces, particularly in healthy human populations.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, focusing on in-vivo human MRI studies of perivascular spaces.
• Included studies focused on healthy populations, with no time restrictions. Nomenclature heterogeneity was noted.

Main Results:

• Perivascular spaces exhibit diverse morphological characteristics on various MRI sequences.
• Advancements in MRI technology allow for detailed visualization of increasingly smaller structures.
• Both visual analysis and automated segmentation methods are being explored for perivascular space evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Perivascular spaces are frequently observed in cranial MRI examinations.
• Their precise physiological or pathological significance is still a subject of ongoing debate and research.