Radiology, Vol 194, 469-476, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America
Periventricular venous collagenosis: association with leukoaraiosis
DM Moody, WR Brown, VR Challa and RL Anderson
Department of Radiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088.
PURPOSE: To investigate the association between an age-related degenerative
disease of subependymal veins and leukoaraiosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Brains obtained at autopsy from 22 patients (average age, 73.2 years;
range, 25-95 years) were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and
neuropathologic methods with alkaline phosphatase microvascular staining.
The degrees of leukoaraiosis shown on MR images and of deep venous
occlusion were scored independently and results compared with logistic
regression analysis. RESULTS: Noninflammatory collagenous thickening of
venous walls resulting in severe periventricular venous stenosis was found
in 13 (65%) of 20 patients over 60 years old. Advanced leukoaraiosis was
found in 10 (77%) of these 13 patients. Greater venous disease was
associated with more severe leukoaraiosis. CONCLUSION: Periventricular
venous collagenosis, a commonly observed and previously ignored
degenerative disease of elderly humans, is strongly associated with
leukoaraiosis. Stenosis or occlusion of deep cerebral veins may promote
development of leukoaraiosis.
