Virchow-Robin space

Fig. 9.3. Virchow-Robin spaces marked with arrows on T2-weighted (left) and FLAIR (right) images. They appear bright on T2-WI and can be differentiated from pathological changes only when both images are evaluated simultaneously...

Hassan A, Hunt BJ, O Sullivan M, Parmar K, Bamford JM, Briley D, Brown MM, Thomas DL, Markus HS (2003) Markers of endothelial dysfunction in lacunar infarction and ischemic leukoaraiosis. Brain 126 424-432 Heier LA, Bauer CJ, Schwartz L, Zimmerman RD, Morgello S, Deck MD (1989) Large Virchow-Robin spaces MR-clinical correlation. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 10 929-936 Helenius J, Soinne L, Salonen O, Kaste M, Tatlisumak T (2002) Leukoaraiosis, ischemic stroke, and normal white matter on diffusion-weighted MRI. Stroke 33 45-50 Inzitari D (2003) Leukoaraiosis an independent risk factor for stroke Stroke 34 2067-2071... 

The occurrence in the liquor of foam cells measuring from 20—40 [x has been described by Tourtelotte et al. (1965). They are similar to those which may occasionally be found in normal subjects, and their identity with lipomacrophages and a possible role in lipid transport via the Virchow-Robin spaces into the liquor has been discussed, since their number was correlated with abnormalities in the lipid profile of the liquor. 

For the second route, leukocytes reach the CNS from blood to subarachnoid space. In this pathway, leukocytes travel from the internal carotid artery, across postcapillary venules at the pial surface of the brain into the subarachnoid space and the Virchow-Robin perivascular spaces. There, they might encounter cells of the monocyte/myeloid lineage that are competent for antigen presentation. The perivascular regions, wkere there is direct communication with the CSF compartment, are considered probable sites of lymphocyte-APC interaction and therefore, of immune surveillance of CNS. This pathway is also dependent on P-selecdn. 

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