Wallerian Degeneration

Unknown Brain Case 1

Presentation

40 y/o male with a history of right CVA in the remote past.

Image Findings

The T2-weighted axial images show evidence of an old hemorrhagic infarct in the right post internal capsule and adjacent structures. Increased signal is noted extending down into the brain stem on consecutive slices.

Discussion

Wallerian degeneration is distal degeneration of axons and their myelin sheaths secondary to injury to the neuron cell body. Following an infarct, increased signal on T2-weighted images can be seen along the path of the axon starting in 5-12 weeks.
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Last modified April 27, 1995
Copyright 1995 Ray Ballinger
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