What is Cerebral cortical atrophy ?
Atrophy is a finding, seen in many of the diseases that affect the brain. Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain it means loss of neurons and the in between connections. Atrophy can be generalized and diffuse, which means that all parts of the brain affected equally or it can be focal, affecting only a limited area of the brain with a relatively decreased of the functions of that area of the brain.
Imaging wise feature of cerebral cortical atrophy
Generalized prominence of hemisphere cortical sulci on CT or MRI in mild cases. As atrophy advances width of sylvian fissures, inter hemispheric fissure and cranio cortical distance increases.
Causes of Reversible Cerebral cortical Atrophy
Common causes of reversible cerebral atrophy are related to dehydration and starvation. Addison's disease or other causes of dehydration and abnormal fluid balance occasionally present with cerebral cortical atrophy on CT and may be reversible with treatment.
Nutritional causes of reversible cerebral atrophy exist in anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Atrophy which is common in chronic Alcoholics, may be occasionally reversible.
Atrophy is a finding, seen in many of the diseases that affect the brain. Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain it means loss of neurons and the in between connections. Atrophy can be generalized and diffuse, which means that all parts of the brain affected equally or it can be focal, affecting only a limited area of the brain with a relatively decreased of the functions of that area of the brain.
Imaging wise feature of cerebral cortical atrophy
Generalized prominence of hemisphere cortical sulci on CT or MRI in mild cases. As atrophy advances width of sylvian fissures, inter hemispheric fissure and cranio cortical distance increases.
Causes of Reversible Cerebral cortical Atrophy
Common causes of reversible cerebral atrophy are related to dehydration and starvation. Addison's disease or other causes of dehydration and abnormal fluid balance occasionally present with cerebral cortical atrophy on CT and may be reversible with treatment.
Nutritional causes of reversible cerebral atrophy exist in anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Atrophy which is common in chronic Alcoholics, may be occasionally reversible.
1 comment:
Hello Dr.
When you are analyse the possibility of cortical atrophy in a senior patient.
I found dificult to differentiate a patient with atrophy from a involutive changes asociated to aging.
Do you Sir, have an imaging criteria based on your experience to differentiate both?
Please forgive my grammar.
Thanks, In advance
Post a Comment