What is T-2 prolongation? I have many and don't know what it is!!!?

Question

Help. This has something to do with strokes, I think, and is in the brain and seen on an MRI?

I need a simple definition in layman's terms! Totally lost with all the multiple huge words.

Answer 1

My GUESS is that it is an anomaly in a waveform (like oscilloscope) that indicates some condition - But I thought it usually refered to an echocardiogram ?

Answer 2

Encephalitis
inflammation of the brain. Inflammation of the meninges may occur at the same time, meningoencephalitis.
The most common cause of encephalitis is viral, e.g. Herpes simplex, rubella, measles, chickenpox, HIV. Herpes simplex type I encephalitis is the most common viral encephalitis in children. Herpes simplex type II infection is more common in the neonatal period and is contracted form the maternal genital tract. Encephalitis may also be caused by Rickettsiae (e.g. Rocky Mountain fever, Q fever, typhus) and spirochetes such as syphilis and Borelia Burgdoferi (Lyme disease). Focal or diffuse involvement of the brain may occur. Herpes infection has a predilection for the temporal lobe, however, any area of the brain may be affected.


Imaging

On CT areas of decreased attenuation are seen usually involving grey and white matter (Fig.1). Haemorrhage may also be present. On MRI areas of T2 prolongation are seen with or without haemorrhage. Contrast enhancement of the leptomeninges may also be seen.

Parainfectious encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, is thought to be an immune mediated demyelinating condition occurring after a viral or mycoplasma infection. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is rare and thought to be caused by reactivation of latent measles infection. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis is caused by the JC polyomavirus and is usually seen in immunosuppressed patients. Rasmussens encephalitis is thought to be viral or autoimmune mediated and is characterized by an insidious onset of seizures, usually epilepsia partialis continuans, in a previously normal child. MRI examination is initially normal, however, T2 prolongation and progressive atrophy occurs, usually in the frontal and temporal lobes (Fig.2). Infection of the fetal brain can be caused by any of the TORCH infections. The resulting abnormalities depend on the time of gestation at which infection occurs. Infection occurring in the first two trimesters may cause congenital malformation, while infection in the third trimester may cause destructive changes in the brain. A common feature of congenital infection is intracranial calcification.