leptomeningeal enhancement
Pronunciation: lep-toh-men-in-JEE-al
Abnormal gadolinium uptake in the thin membrane layers covering the brain and spinal cord, indicating inflammation or malignancy.
Full Definition
Leptomeningeal enhancement refers to abnormal contrast uptake in the pia mater and arachnoid mater (the thin innermost layers of the meninges) on gadolinium-enhanced MRI studies. This finding can indicate various pathological processes including infectious meningitis, carcinomatous meningitis, inflammatory conditions such as neurosarcoidosis, or autoimmune diseases. The pattern and distribution of enhancement can provide clues to the underlying etiology, with smooth linear enhancement more suggestive of inflammatory processes and nodular enhancement raising concern for malignancy.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from pachymeningeal (dural) enhancement in radiological descriptions.
In Context
- "Post-gadolinium MRI demonstrated extensive leptomeningeal enhancement throughout the posterior fossa." — Radiology report
- "The linear leptomeningeal enhancement pattern suggested an inflammatory rather than neoplastic process." — Image interpretation