Sturge‐weber syndrome: diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings

Abstract

We report on the diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton MR spectroscopy findings of a 26‐year‐old female patient with Sturge‐Weber syndrome. Echo‐planar trace diffusion MRI revealed mildly high signal intensity changes at parieto‐occipital lobes on b = 1000 s/mm² images, suggesting restricted diffusion. On corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient maps, those areas had moderately high signal intensity and high apparent diffusion coefficient values (around 0.9×10(−3) mm²/s) compared with the contralateral symmetrical normal side of the brain (0.776×10(−3) mm²/s). This finding was consistent with increased motion of water molecules (disintegration of the neural tissue) in these regions. Proton MR spectroscopy revealed decreased N‐acetyl aspartate and increased choline peaks, indicating disintegration of neural tissue associated with neuronal loss as well.