gyral enhancement
Abnormal contrast enhancement following the cortical ribbon pattern, often indicating inflammation or ischemia.
Full Definition
Gyral enhancement refers to the abnormal uptake of contrast material along the cerebral cortex, following the pattern of brain gyri. This finding typically appears as serpentine or ribbon-like enhancement on post-contrast T1-weighted images. It can indicate various pathological processes including acute stroke with luxury perfusion, encephalitis, seizures, or cortical venous thrombosis. The enhancement pattern may be unilateral or bilateral and can involve single or multiple vascular territories. In acute stroke, gyral enhancement often appears in the subacute phase and may indicate tissue at risk or reperfusion injury.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from leptomeningeal enhancement, which involves the overlying meninges.
In Context
- "Subtle gyral enhancement was noted in the left parietal cortex on post-contrast images." — Post-stroke MRI
- "No gyral enhancement was identified to suggest cortical venous thrombosis." — Venous imaging report