What is the significance of Virchow-Robin spaces?

What is the significance of Virchow-Robin spaces?

Virchow-Robin spaces represent a physiological structure in normal brain parenchyma. It is assumed that they contain interstitial fluid filled with macrophages and play an important role in the drainage of interstitial fluid in the direction of the cervical lymph system.

What is VR space in brain?

Perivascular spaces, also known as Virchow-Robin spaces are fluid-filled spaces that surround small arterioles, capillaries and venules in the brain. Those that surround perforating vessels are frequently seen on routine MRI imaging.

Are perivascular spaces normal?

Perivascular spaces are normal anatomical structures. Even when enlarged they are almost invariably asymptomatic, even when quite large. Rarely, they can cause mass-effect and can result in obstructive hydrocephalus.

What type of stroke is lacunar infarct?

Lacunar stroke is a type of ischemic stroke that occurs when blood flow to one of the small arteries deep within the brain becomes blocked. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , lacunar strokes represent about one-fifth of all strokes.

What is the meaning of Virchow?

Virchow Add to list Share. Definitions of Virchow. German pathologist who recognized that all cells come from cells by binary fission and who emphasized cellular abnormalities in disease (1821-1902) synonyms: Rudolf Karl Virchow, Rudolf Virchow. example of: diagnostician, pathologist.

How is a chronic lacunar infarct different from a perivascular space?

A chronic lacunar infarct may be difficult to distinguish from a perivascular space. It may be cystic with CSF density and intensity on CT and MRI, respectively. It may be isointense to mildly hypointense on T1WI if not cystic. If the lacuna is close to the ventricular system, it may cause focal ex-vacuo dilatation of the ventricle.

Where are the Virchow Robin spaces in the brain?

Virchow-Robin (VR) spaces surround the walls of vessels as they course from the subarachnoid space through the brain parenchyma. Small VR spaces appear in all age groups.

How did the Virchow-Robin space get its name?

Introduction. The Virchow-Robin (VR) space is named after Rudolf Virchow (German pathologist, 1821–1902) (,1) and Charles Philippe Robin (French anatomist, 1821–1885) (,2 ). VR spaces, or perivascular spaces, surround the walls of vessels as they course from the subarachnoid space through the brain parenchyma.

Why is dilatation of the Virchow-Robin space important?

CONCLUSION: VRS dilatation is common in diseases associated with microvascular abnormality and can be used as a diagnostic tool to differentiate vascular dementias from degenerative dementias. Virchow-Robin spaces (VRSs) are perivascular spaces that surround the perforating arteries that enter the brain.