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Erschienen in:
30.01.2017 | Classics in Abdominal Imaging
The T2-dark spot sign
Erschienen in: Abdominal Radiology | Ausgabe 5/2017
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The T2-dark spot sign is a recently described radiological finding in the MRI diagnosis of endometrioma and refers to discrete, markedly T2-hypointense structures found within the endometriotic cyst (Fig. 1). They appear as curvilinear, oval or punctate foci that are usually present adjacent to, but not within the cyst wall itself [1]. They are hypothesized to represent retracted and desiccated blood clots resulting from chronic and repetitive bleeding in an endometriotic cyst, that contain heavy concentrations of protein and hemosiderin [1]. The low signal intensity appearance on T2-weighted images results from the T2 shortening effect of the paramagnetic substances.
Fig. 1
Right ovarian endometrioma in a 52-year-old woman. A Transverse unenhanced, fat-saturated T1 weighted MR image demonstrates an endometrioma with hyperintense intra-cystic contents representing blood products. B Corresponding transverse non-fat-saturated T2 weighted MR image demonstrates a markedly hypointense curvilinear structure (straight arrow), adjacent to the posterior wall of the endometriotic cyst which represents the T2-dark spot sign. No corresponding calcification was seen on the concurrent CT study (not shown).
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