Dilation of Virchow-Robin spaces

What it means

Increased dimensions of the Virchow-Robin spaces (also known as perivascular spaces), which surround the walls of vessels as they course from the subarachnoid space through the brain parenchyma. Perivascular spaces are commonly microscopic, and not visible on conventional neuroimaging. This term refers to an increase of size of these spaces such that they are visible on neuroimaging (usually magnetic resonance imaging). The dilatations are regular cavities that always contain a patent artery.

Virchow-Robin spaces are commonly seen at magnetic resonance imaging. These perivascular spaces as fluid-filled spaces that follow the typical course of a vessel as it goes through gray or white matter. The spaces have signal intensity similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on all magnetic resonance sequences.

Rare diseases that can present with this6

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Dilated cerebral perivascular spaces · Dilated Virchow-Robin spaces · Perivascular spaces