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Case Reports
. 2009 Jan;29(1):177-82.
doi: 10.1002/jmri.21617.

Identification of calcification with MRI using susceptibility-weighted imaging: a case study

Zhen Wu  1 , Sandeep Mittal, Karl Kish, Yingjian Yu, J Hu, E Mark Haacke
Affiliations
Case Reports

Identification of calcification with MRI using susceptibility-weighted imaging: a case study

Zhen Wu et al. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a new MRI technique that can identify calcification by using phase images. We present a single case with a partially calcified oligodendroglioma, multiple calcified cysticercosis lesions, and multiple physiologic calcifications in the same patient. SWI phase images and computed tomography (CT) images are compared. SWI phase images showed the same calcified lesions as shown on CT and sometimes some new calcifications. Our conclusion is that SWI filtered phase images can identify calcifications as well as CT in this case.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CT (a) shows patchy calcification inside the tumor. SWI magnitude image (b) shows hypoinstense signal inside the tumor that is larger than the calcified part on CT. On the SWI filtered phase image (c), the hyperintensity matches CT results reasonably well given the aliasing present. The veins running inside the sulci and along the lateral ventricle appear dark (short arrows). In addition, the dark ring structure (long arrow) around the tumor on phase images matches the enhanced area on the post contrast T1 weighted images (d).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Multiple small calcifications are identified by CT (a). The location and size of the lesions shown on the SWI magnitude image (b) matches the CT data one-to-one. The SWI filtered phase image (c) shows the lesions have opposite signal intensity to the veins along the sulci confirming that the dark areas on the magnitude images are calcification, not hemorrhage.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlation of CT calcification area with MRI calcification area.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation of CT lesion contrast with MRI lesion contrast for calcification.
Figure 5
Figure 5
A calcified lesion close to the right lateral fissure and pineal gland are shown on CT (a). SWI magnitude images match CT well. On the SWI filtered phase images, the dark regions in the magnitude image shows as bright again (indicating calcium) but with some aliasing or dipole effects as well.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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