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Wegener granulomatosis: CT and MR findings
1Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Wegener granulomatosis can cause central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities like dural thickening and infarcts. Remote granulomas, not direct extension or CNS vasculitis, were the most frequent cause of these CNS findings in patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Wegener granulomatosis is a rare autoimmune disease.
- Central nervous system (CNS) involvement can occur but is not well-characterized.
- Imaging findings in CNS Wegener granulomatosis require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the spectrum of CT and MR imaging findings in Wegener granulomatosis.
- To ascertain the etiology of CNS findings: direct extension, remote granulomas, or CNS vasculitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of CT or MR studies.
- Analysis of 15 patients diagnosed with Wegener granulomatosis.
Main Results:
- Seven patients (47%) exhibited abnormal imaging findings.
- Common findings included dural thickening/enhancement, infarcts, and abnormal brain stem/white matter MR signals.
- Remote granulomas were the presumed cause of dural abnormalities; no direct extension or CNS vasculitis was identified.
Conclusions:
- CT and MR imaging reveal diverse CNS manifestations in Wegener granulomatosis.
- Remote granulomas are the primary cause of CNS findings, rather than direct extension or vasculitis.
- Non-CNS complications may also contribute to neurological findings.