Benign enhancing foramen magnum lesion
Updates to Article Attributes
Benign enhancing foramen magnum lesions have been anecdotally seen by radiologists for years but only recently described as an incidental finding in a typical location in the foramen magnum just behind the vertebral artery. Although the precise nature of this finding has not been entirely elucidated, it has been postulated that they may represent a small venous varix or a ganglion1. It has only been recently described and is almost certainly benign, but may mimic vascular or neoplastic pathology on MRI.
Radiographic features
MRI
The lesion is seen on 3D-FLAIR as ana hyperintense nodular structure or on 3D-T1 post-gadolinium as an enhancing lesion. The lesion is occult on T2, T1 without gadolinium or DWI since it appears isointense to CSF on these sequences1.
Differential diagnosis
Although these small lesions are frequently seen and are almost certainly benign, they may mimic vascular or neoplastic pathology on MRI.
-<p>Benign enhancing foramen magnum lesions have been recently described as an incidental finding in a typical location in the foramen magnum just behind the vertebral artery. Although the precise nature of this finding has not been entirely elucidated, it may represent a varix or a ganglion. It has only been recently described and is almost certainly benign, but may mimic vascular or neoplastic pathology on MRI.</p><p> </p><p><strong>MRI</strong></p><p>The lesion is seen on 3D-FLAIR as an hyperintense nodular structure or on 3D-T1 post-gadolinium as an enhancing lesion. The lesion is occult on T2, T1 without gadolinium or DWI since it appears isointense to CSF on these sequences.</p>- +<p><strong>Benign enhancing foramen magnum lesions</strong> have been anecdotally seen by radiologists for years but only recently described as an incidental finding in a typical location in the foramen magnum just behind the vertebral artery. Although the precise nature of this finding has not been entirely elucidated, it has been postulated that they may represent a small venous varix or a ganglion <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>MRI</h5><p>The lesion is seen on 3D-FLAIR as a hyperintense nodular structure or on 3D-T1 post-gadolinium as an enhancing lesion. The lesion is occult on T2, T1 without gadolinium or DWI since it appears isointense to CSF on these sequences <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Although these small lesions are frequently seen and are almost certainly benign, they may mimic vascular or neoplastic pathology on MRI.</p>
References changed:
- 1. McGuinness BJ, Morrison JP, Brew SK, Moriarty MW. Benign Enhancing Foramen Magnum Lesions: Clinical Report of a Newly Recognized Entity. (2017) AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology. 38 (4): 721-725. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A5085">doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5085</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28154124">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
- Benign Enhancing Foramen Magnum Lesions: Clinical Report of a Newly Recognized Entity B.J. McGuinness, J.P. Morrison, S.K. Brew and M.W. Moriarty. American Journal of Neuroradiology April 2017, 38 (4) 721-725; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A5085
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Image 1 MRI (T1 C+ fat sat) ( update )
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