MRI MRI Anatomy and Pathology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The corpus callosum is best evaluated on which MRI plane for assessing callosal agenesis?
- Axial
- Coronal
- Sagittal (Correct answer)
- Oblique
Correct answer: Sagittal
The sagittal midline plane provides the best single view of the entire corpus callosum from genu to splenium for assessing agenesis or dysgenesis.
Question 2: Multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques in the brain are classically found in which location on MRI?
- Basal ganglia bilaterally
- Periventricular white matter, corpus callosum, and juxtacortical regions (Correct answer)
- Gray matter of the cortex only
- Cerebellum exclusively
Correct answer: Periventricular white matter, corpus callosum, and juxtacortical regions
MS demyelinating plaques characteristically occur in periventricular white matter, corpus callosum (Dawson fingers), juxtacortical, and infratentorial regions.
Question 3: On MRI of the liver, a simple hepatic cyst is expected to show which signal characteristics?
- T1 high, T2 low
- T1 low, T2 high, no enhancement (Correct answer)
- T1 high, T2 high, with peripheral enhancement
- T1 low, T2 low
Correct answer: T1 low, T2 high, no enhancement
Simple hepatic cysts have low T1 signal, very high T2 signal due to pure fluid content, and show no contrast enhancement.
Question 4: Which ligament of the knee is best seen on sagittal MRI images and connects the posterior femur to the anterior tibia?
- Posterior cruciate ligament
- Anterior cruciate ligament (Correct answer)
- Medial collateral ligament
- Arcuate ligament
Correct answer: Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs from the posterior lateral femoral condyle to the anterior tibial spine and is best evaluated on sagittal MRI.
Question 5: Bilateral symmetric T2 hyperintensity in the basal ganglia of a child is most associated with which condition?
- Multiple sclerosis
- Wilson's disease or metabolic disorder (Correct answer)
- Acute ischemic stroke
- Glioblastoma multiforme
Correct answer: Wilson's disease or metabolic disorder
Bilateral symmetric basal ganglia T2 signal abnormality in a child raises concern for metabolic disorders such as Wilson's disease, mitochondrial disease, or toxic encephalopathy.
Question 6: The anterior and posterior horns of the lateral ventricles are best evaluated for periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) on which MRI plane?
- Sagittal only
- Axial and coronal (Correct answer)
- Coronal only
- Oblique
Correct answer: Axial and coronal
Axial and coronal planes together best demonstrate periventricular T2 signal changes and volume loss around the lateral ventricular horns in PVL.
MRI MRI Anatomy and Pathology 2
The corpus callosum is best evaluated on which MRI plane for assessing callosal agenesis?