Virchow-Robin spaces
Overview
Virchow-Robin spaces are perivascular, fluid-filled canals that surround perforating arteries and veins in the parenchyma
of the brain
. These spaces are separated from the subarachnoid space
by a thin pia
layer. VRS are extremely small and can usually only be seen on MR images
when dilated. While many normal brains will show a few dilated VRS, an increase in dilated VRS has been shown to correlate with the incidence of several neurodegenerative
diseases, making the spaces a popular topic of research.
The appearance of Virchow-Robin spaces was first noted in 1843 by Durand Fardel.
Parenchyma
Parenchyma is a term used to describe a bulk of a substance. It is used in different ways in animals and in plants.The term is New Latin, f. Greek παρέγχυμα - parenkhuma, "visceral flesh", f. παρεγχεῖν - parenkhein, "to pour in" f. para-, "beside" + en-, "in" + khein, "to pour"...
of the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
. These spaces are separated from the subarachnoid space
Subarachnoid space
In the central nervous system, the subarachnoid cavity is the interval between the arachnoid membrane and pia mater....
by a thin pia
Pia mater
Pia mater often referred to as simply the pia, is the delicate innermost layer of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The word finds its roots in Latin, meaning literally "tender mother." The other two meningeal membranes are the dura mater and the arachnoid mater....
layer. VRS are extremely small and can usually only be seen on MR images
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
when dilated. While many normal brains will show a few dilated VRS, an increase in dilated VRS has been shown to correlate with the incidence of several neurodegenerative
Neurodegeneration
Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes. As research progresses, many...
diseases, making the spaces a popular topic of research.
The appearance of Virchow-Robin spaces was first noted in 1843 by Durand Fardel.
