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---
title: "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex"
docid: "60611839-bd46-4b21-a671-d7f62e45b967"
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value: "Luke L. Linscott, MD"
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name: "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex"
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lastUpdated: "02/13/24"
pageDescription: "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex"
pageKeywords: "Pediatrics, Diagnosis, Pediatric Neuroradiology, Brain, Pathology-Based Diagnoses, Congenital Malformations, Familial Tumor/Neurocutaneous Syndromes, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex"
pageTitle: "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex | STATdx"
enhancedTitle: "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex"
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breadcrumbs:
- "Pediatrics"
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- "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex"
---
# KEY FACTS
- ## Terminology
- Hamartomas of multiple organs → CNS, skin, kidney, bone
- ## Imaging
- Cerebral tubers
- Cortical/subcortical lesion expanding overlying gyri
- T2/FLAIR hyperintense, T1 hypointense after myelination
- T1 hyperintense prior to myelination
- Cerebellar tubers
- Wedge-shaped foci of volume loss
- Often enhance & calcify
- Subependymal nodules (SENs)
- Elongated nodules in locations of fetal germinal matrix
- Increasing Ca⁺⁺ over time
- 30-80% enhance
- Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA)
- Growing nodule at caudothalamic groove
- WHO grade 1 neoplasm
- ## Top Differential Diagnoses
- Focal cortical dysplasia
- Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor
- Ganglioglioma
- TORCH infections that cause periventricular Ca⁺⁺
- X-linked subependymal heterotopia
- ## Pathology
- 2 distinct gene loci
- *TSC1* (9q34) encodes **hamartin**
- *TSC2* (16p13) encodes **tuberin** → more severe
- ## Clinical Issues
- Medical antiseizure therapy, resection of seizure focus
- mTOR inhibitors now 1st-line therapy for SEGA
- ## Diagnostic Checklist
- Tubers + SEN pathognomonic for TSC
- Surveillance imaging is performed to detect SEGA
# TERMINOLOGY
- ## Abbreviations
- Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
- ## Synonyms
- Bourneville syndrome, Pringle disease, epiloia
- ## Definitions
- Neurocutaneous syndrome: Hamartomatosis
- Hamartomas of multiple organs → CNS, skin, kidney, bone
- "Original" phakomatosis
- "Phakoma" 1st used by Dutch ophthalmologist to describe retinal hamartoma
# IMAGING
- ## General Features
- ### Best diagnostic clue
- Cerebral & cerebellar "tubers"
- Tubers = potato-like texture observed at surgery
- Dysplastic lesions present from birth
- Subependymal nodules (SENs)
- Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA)
- ### Location
- Tubers → cerebrum (90%) > cerebellum (24-36%)
- SEN → anatomic distribution is same as fetal germinal matrix with preponderance in caudothalamic grooves
- Caudothalamic groove > body/atrium > temp horn
- SEGA → enlarging mass at foramen of Monro
- ### Morphology
- Tubers
- Cerebral
- Cortical/subcortical tubers expand overlying gyri
- Cystic tuber degeneration → "empty gyri"
- Often associated with radial migration lines extending toward lateral ventricles
- Cerebellar
- Typically wedge-shaped foci with volume loss & folia distortion
- SENs
- Usually small, nodular foci along ventricle margin
- Majority calcify (↑ Ca⁺⁺ with ↑ age)
- SEGAs become more spherical with ↑ size
- ## Radiographic Findings
- ### Radiography
- Sclerotic bone islands (axial skeleton)
- Lucent bone "cysts" with undulating periosteal new bone (hands, feet)
- ## CT Findings
- ### NECT
- SENs → Ca⁺⁺ ↑ with time
- Tubers → low-attenuation subcortical lesion expanding overlying gyri
- Cerebral tubers usually noncalcified (↑ Ca⁺⁺ with ↑ age)
- Cerebellar tubers often calcified (~ 30%)
- Hamartomatous lobe → Ca⁺⁺ in dysplasia/hamartoma of entire lobe (frontal) or hemisphere
- Giant optic drusen → Ca⁺⁺ in retinal hamartoma
- ### CECT
- Most SENs enhance → may be masked by Ca⁺⁺
- Some tubers faintly enhance
- ### CTA
- Aneurysms occur infrequently (0.74%)
- ## MR Findings
- ### T1WI
- SENs → typically slightly hyperintense
- Best shown on sagittal & coronal images
- Tubers & radial migration lines are T1 hyperintense in very young patients prior to myelination
- Tubers & radial migration lines become T1 hypointense after myelination
- Magnetization transfer ↑ detection of cortical tubers & radial migration lines in children
- ### T2WI
- Tubers/radial migration lines typically inconspicuous in very young patients prior to myelination
- More apparent (hyperintense) with maturation of normal myelin (hypointense)
- ### FLAIR
- Tubers → hyperintense
- "Empty gyri" & periventricular cysts suppress completely
- Best sequence for detection of tubers & radial migration lines
- ### T2* GRE
- Helpful to show Ca⁺⁺ in tubers & SENs
- ### DWI
- ↑ ADC values reported in epileptogenic tubers
- ↑ diffusivity & ↓ fractional anisotropy (FA) values in normal-appearing white matter (WM)
- ### T1WI C+
- Best sequence for showing SEN enhancement
- 3-4% of cortical tubers enhance
- 33-92% of cerebellar tubers enhance
- ### MRA
- Aneurysms (0.74%) & ectasias occasionally encountered
- ### MRS
- ↑ myo-inositol (mI) in central & peripheral lesions
- ↓ NAA with ↑ mI in SEN at foramen of Monro = SEGA
- ## Angiographic Findings
- Conventional
- Used for diagnosis (beyond CTA/MRA) & treatment of aneurysms
- ## Nuclear Medicine Findings
- ### PET
- Tubers are hypometabolic
- ## Other Lesions
- Cerebral aneurysms (0.78%) & dolichoectasia
- Retinal hamartoma
- Giant optic drusen
- Renal angiomyolipoma (RAM)
- 40-80% incidence
- Amenable to embolization to reduce bleeding risk
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
- Cardiac rhabdomyoma
- Present at birth, usually resolves spontaneously
- May be multifocal
- Sclerotic bone islands & cysts
- ## Imaging Recommendations
- ### Best imaging tool
- MR ± contrast
- ### Protocol advice
- Use DWI to assess epileptogenic foci
- ↑ MR field strength may improve tuber detection
# DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
- ## Infection
- [TORCH infections that cause periventricular Ca⁺⁺](/document/torch-infections-overview/e02da955-3e5b-4079-8863-5832b5338f00)
- CMV, toxoplasmosis
- May be distinguished by location outside distribution of fetal germinal matrix
- Periventricular, not subependymal
- Hematogenous spread of infections that cause subcortical lesions
- [Fungus](/document/fungal-diseases/e8be0e10-a70b-47a6-9f04-ae81ed4ababc)
- [Neurocysticercosis](/document/neurocysticercosis/6a45835f-6d7c-443e-874a-f33131d3def1)
- ## Neoplasms
- Superficial tumors that can resemble tubers
- [Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET)](/document/dnet/30baaad9-4835-4cf0-8b95-974d6517511e)
- [Ganglioglioma](/document/ganglioglioma/207fb0f4-9899-44b1-bfe5-33c696960d6a)
- Angiocentric glioma
- Intraventricular tumors
- [Choroid plexus tumors](/document/choroid-plexus-papilloma/18e712f5-8553-487d-a939-044336cbf0ad)
- [Subependymoma](/document/subependymoma/b899ded1-d2f2-4dc4-9812-48d3fb194117)
- Central neurocytoma
- [Focal Cortical Dysplasia](/document/focal-cortical-dysplasia/046564e0-5bb7-4f23-8a3e-010a68cfbafe)
- Especially type II
- [X-Linked Subependymal Heterotopia](/document/heterotopic-gray-matter/c88b27b7-d352-4231-b296-bd9d93b8c68b)
- Gray matter heterotopia along lateral ventricle margins
- No Ca⁺⁺ or enhancement
- [Subcortical Ischemia, Infarction](/document/childhood-stroke/12f14b63-8dd0-4523-afe1-6fda2331e6bf)
- Regions of hyperintense subcortical signal on T2WI & FLAIR
- Restricted diffusion, gyral swelling
# PATHOLOGY
- ## General Features
- ### Etiology
- Tuberin & hamartin combine to form complex in vivo
- Act together to regulate mTOR pathway
- **M**ammalian **t**arget **o**f**r**apamycin
- Normally inhibit part of mTOR activity
- Regulate cell growth & proliferation
- Mutations prevent them from downregulating mTOR
- Affects germinal matrix → disordered neuronal migration & growth
- ### Genetics
- 2 distinct gene loci
- *TSC1* (9q34) encodes **hamartin**
- *TSC2* (16p13) encodes **tuberin**
- *TSC2*most common with severe phenotype
- More likely to have complex partial seizures, infantile spasms, SEGAs, & intellectual disability
- 1/3 familial
- Autosomal dominant, high penetrance
- ### Associated abnormalities
- RAM → 40-80% incidence, amenable to embolization
- Cardiac rhabdomyomas → majority involute spontaneously
- ## Staging, Grading, & Classification
- SEGA = WHO grade 1 neoplasm
- Diagnostic criteria: 2 major (definite) or 1 major + 1 minor (probable)
- Major: Tubers &/or radial migration lines, SEN, SEGA, cardiac rhabdomyoma, RAM, LAM, adenoma sebaceum, sub-/periungual fibroma, hypomelanotic macules, shagreen patch, retinal hamartoma
- Minor: WM lesions, dental pits, gingival fibromas, rectal polyps, bone cysts, nonrenal hamartoma, retinal achromic patch, confetti skin lesions, multiple renal cysts
- Genetic testing detects mutations in 60-80% of affected individuals
- ## Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
- Firm cortical masses with umbilication
- ## Microscopic Features
- Tubers: Balloon cells, giant cells, ectopic neurons
- Tubers share many histopathologic features with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 2B
- Myelin loss, vacuolation, & gliosis
# CLINICAL ISSUES
- ## Presentation
- Classic clinical triad: Adenoma sebaceum, seizures, intellectual disability
- Seen in only 30-40%
- Infantile spasms → poorer outcome
- Autism
- ## Demographics
- ### Age
- Rhabdomyomas present prenatally & in infancy
- CNS lesions present in infancy & childhood
- Skin lesions present in childhood
- Renal, lung, & bone lesions present in adolescence & adulthood
- ### Epidemiology
- 1:10,000 incidence
- ## Natural History & Prognosis
- Prognosis dependent upon severity of symptoms (seizures, arrhythmias, renal insufficiency) & success of treatment
- ## Treatment
- Medical antiseizure therapy, resection of seizure focus
- mTOR inhibitors now 1st-line therapy for SEGA
- Have been shown to be highly effective at reducing seizure frequency
# DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
- ## Consider
- ↑ incidence of non-CNS lesions as patients age
- ## Image Interpretation Pearls
- Do not forget to look for vascular lesions
5f44e44e-70b6-4d31-8fc1-0932e468be02
## References
# Selected References
1. [Goergen SK et al: Prenatal MR imaging phenotype of fetuses with tuberous sclerosis: an institutional case series and literature review. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 43(4):633-8, 2022](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=35332020%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Northrup H et al: Updated international tuberous sclerosis complex diagnostic criteria and surveillance and management recommendations. Pediatr Neurol. 123:50-66, 2021](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=34399110%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Wang MX et al: Tuberous sclerosis: current update. Radiographics. 41(7):1992-2010, 2021](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=34534018%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Russo C et al: Neuroimaging in tuberous sclerosis complex. Childs Nerv Syst. 36(10):2497-509, 2020](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=32519125%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Gül Mert G et al: Factors affecting epilepsy prognosis in patients with tuberous sclerosis. Childs Nerv Syst. 35(3):463-8, 2019](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=30673834%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Curatolo P et al: Management of epilepsy associated with tuberous sclerosis complex: updated clinical recommendations. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 22(5):738-48, 2018](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=29880258%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Sun K et al: Magnetic resonance imaging of tuberous sclerosis complex with or without epilepsy at 7 T. Neuroradiology. 60(8):785-94, 2018](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=29869697%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [French JA et al: Adjunctive everolimus therapy for treatment-resistant focal-onset seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis (EXIST-3): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Lancet. 388(10056):2153-63, 2016](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=27613521%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Krishnan A et al: Cross-sectional imaging review of tuberous sclerosis. Radiol Clin North Am. 54(3):423-40, 2016](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=27153781%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Daghistani R et al: MRI characteristics of cerebellar tubers and their longitudinal changes in children with tuberous sclerosis complex. Childs Nerv Syst. 31(1):109-13, 2015](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=25200047%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Manoukian SB et al: Comprehensive imaging manifestations of tuberous sclerosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 204(5):933-43, 2015](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=25905927%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Kothare SV et al: Severity of manifestations in tuberous sclerosis complex in relation to genotype. Epilepsia. 55(7):1025-9, 2014](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24917535%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Ouyang T et al: Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma: current concepts, management, and future directions. Childs Nerv Syst. 30(4):561-70, 2014](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24549759%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Boronat S et al: Intracranial arteriopathy in tuberous sclerosis complex. J Child Neurol. 29(7):912-9, 2013](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24056157%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Kadom N et al: Utility of magnetization transfer T1 imaging in children with seizures. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 34(4):895-8, 2013](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23153867%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Krsek P et al: Predictors of seizure-free outcome after epilepsy surgery for pediatric tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 54(11):1913-21, 2013](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24117179%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Pascual-Castroviejo I et al: Significance of tuber size for complications of tuberous sclerosis complex. Neurologia. 28(9):550-7, 2013](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23274119%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Cepeda C et al: Comparative study of cellular and synaptic abnormalities in brain tissue samples from pediatric tuberous sclerosis complex and cortical dysplasia type II. Epilepsia. 51 Suppl 3:160-5, 2010](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20618424%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Krueger DA et al: Everolimus for subependymal giant-cell astrocytomas in tuberous sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 363(19):1801-11, 2010](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=21047224%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Kalantari BN et al: Neuroimaging of tuberous sclerosis: spectrum of pathologic findings and frontiers in imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 190(5):W304-9, 2008](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=18430816%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Karadag D et al: Diffusion tensor imaging in children and adolescents with tuberous sclerosis. Pediatr Radiol. 2005](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=16170442%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Jansen FE et al: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and identification of the epileptogenic tuber in patients with tuberous sclerosis. Arch Neurol. 60(11):1580-4, 2003](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=14623730%5Bpmid%5D)
## Images
### Selected Images
![Axial FLAIR MR in a 6-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) shows a moderate to severe burden of cerebral tubers and right subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>. Cystic change is seen in a left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Tubers are dysplastic lesions that are present in nearly all patients with TSC.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_b418cb16-fa19-4d25-87da-f8a820e83e43_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_3c24577a93b383a64fda0f00cac07574d4d5e8d8.jpg)
*Axial FLAIR MR in a 6-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) shows a moderate to severe burden of cerebral tubers and right subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>. Cystic change is seen in a left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Tubers are dysplastic lesions that are present in nearly all patients with TSC.*
![Axial FLAIR MR in a 6-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) shows a moderate to severe burden of cerebral tubers and right subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>. Cystic change is seen in a left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Tubers are dysplastic lesions that are present in nearly all patients with TSC.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_b418cb16-fa19-4d25-87da-f8a820e83e43_size_174_quality_85_e216a63c3a3715d48186a0e1e1658f4c33bbe1c5.jpg)
*Axial FLAIR MR in a 6-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) shows a moderate to severe burden of cerebral tubers and right subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>. Cystic change is seen in a left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Tubers are dysplastic lesions that are present in nearly all patients with TSC.*
![Axial T1 C+ MR in a 9-year-old girl with TSC shows a lobular, homogeneously enhancing mass <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> in the left caudothalamic groove, consistent with a SEGA. Note the subependymal nodule <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_b1477892-73ae-4744-b0c7-e52c8f0b7cc6_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_327c7c5b47936aa016e430170edc6b13f2b45489.jpg)
*Axial T1 C+ MR in a 9-year-old girl with TSC shows a lobular, homogeneously enhancing mass <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> in the left caudothalamic groove, consistent with a SEGA. Note the subependymal nodule <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>.*
![Axial T1 C+ MR in a 4-year-old boy shows a wedge-shaped, enhancing left cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. The majority of cerebellar tubers enhance, in contrast to the supratentorial cerebral hemisphere tubers, which rarely enhance.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_329399d1-d9f1-49ef-a4f9-ae5db69f1d4a_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_ac994df4605c85ad2b7f8046ed7651d3a8cd389d.jpg)
*Axial T1 C+ MR in a 4-year-old boy shows a wedge-shaped, enhancing left cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. The majority of cerebellar tubers enhance, in contrast to the supratentorial cerebral hemisphere tubers, which rarely enhance.*
![Axial NECT in a 23-month-old girl with TSC shows multiple calcified subependymal nodules <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>. Note that the location of the nodules adheres to the distribution of fetal germinal matrix with a preponderance in the caudothalamic grooves.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_4e18d621-312e-4e89-927c-4e0e848aaf5a_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_798a2d1911ce71603fd4a1e6e00762f9ffac3fd5.jpg)
*Axial NECT in a 23-month-old girl with TSC shows multiple calcified subependymal nodules <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>. Note that the location of the nodules adheres to the distribution of fetal germinal matrix with a preponderance in the caudothalamic grooves.*
![Axial T1 MR in a female infant with TSC at 3 months (left) &amp; 10 months (right) of age shows how the cerebral tubers <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> &amp; radial migration lines <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> are relatively hyperintense before myelination (left) &amp; relatively hypointense after myelination (right).](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_94c4e0ad-66b4-46a9-b770-9efd0aedc9e6_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_0b6f216ac96ec7c2ad67d8eee431712ddad21ade.jpg)
*Axial T1 MR in a female infant with TSC at 3 months (left) &amp; 10 months (right) of age shows how the cerebral tubers <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> &amp; radial migration lines <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> are relatively hyperintense before myelination (left) &amp; relatively hypointense after myelination (right).*
![Axial T2 MR in the same patient at 3 months (left) &amp; 10 months (right) of age shows how the cerebral tubers are inconspicuous prior to myelination <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> (left) but become conspicuous after myelination <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> (right).](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_add7b51b-4f53-4f6b-b546-9a4f5c6f5034_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_d4525265ebf9e3db8157f5d4d6a13d4d807aae7c.jpg)
*Axial T2 MR in the same patient at 3 months (left) &amp; 10 months (right) of age shows how the cerebral tubers are inconspicuous prior to myelination <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> (left) but become conspicuous after myelination <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> (right).*
![Axial T2 MR SSFSE of a 36-weeks gestation fetus shows a hypointense subependymal nodule <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>. Other non-CNS features confirmed a diagnosis of TSC.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_09e9f93a-da95-4827-82a9-d4c045808c21_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_ed313b470269b469bbfb3239ff1528b5352bca32.jpg)
*Axial T2 MR SSFSE of a 36-weeks gestation fetus shows a hypointense subependymal nodule <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/>. Other non-CNS features confirmed a diagnosis of TSC.*
![Axial T1 C+ MR in a 4-year-old girl shows a large SEGA <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> in the left caudothalamic groove (left). Three months after initiation of an mTOR inhibitor (right), the SEGA <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> has substantially decreased in size. mTOR inhibitors are often used as 1st-line therapy for symptomatic SEGAs &amp; have secondary benefits of decreased seizure frequency.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_045a0d76-7c99-4eb2-b028-8b606e7c1d50_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_626bf985d986e5e6750ed2a1e239c64d437f801e.jpg)
*Axial T1 C+ MR in a 4-year-old girl shows a large SEGA <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> in the left caudothalamic groove (left). Three months after initiation of an mTOR inhibitor (right), the SEGA <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> has substantially decreased in size. mTOR inhibitors are often used as 1st-line therapy for symptomatic SEGAs &amp; have secondary benefits of decreased seizure frequency.*
![Axial SWI MR in a 4-year-old boy with TSC shows signal loss within a calcified, wedge-shaped cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Approximately 1/3 of all cerebellar tubers are calcified. In contrast to cerebral tubers, which show gyral expansion, cerebellar tubers typically show volume loss.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_b795f705-2cde-486f-81e3-a7aa32f884ff_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_08083c561cc44186ec3b5518fa2411d3c39b2599.jpg)
*Axial SWI MR in a 4-year-old boy with TSC shows signal loss within a calcified, wedge-shaped cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Approximately 1/3 of all cerebellar tubers are calcified. In contrast to cerebral tubers, which show gyral expansion, cerebellar tubers typically show volume loss.*
![High-resolution axial T2 TSE MR in a 10-month-old girl with TSC shows small, bilateral retinal contour abnormalities <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>, consistent with retinal hamartomas.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_46306234-93b1-4ce7-8a21-b1f0767658fe_annotated_true_size_900_quality_90_e05609e56ee4c8a6fd69dfdd7bc5af7b3230e6d5.jpg)
*High-resolution axial T2 TSE MR in a 10-month-old girl with TSC shows small, bilateral retinal contour abnormalities <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>, consistent with retinal hamartomas.*
### Additional Images
![Axial FLAIR MR in a 3-year-old boy with TSC shows a moderate to severe burden of cerebral tubers. Cystic change is seen in a left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>. FLAIR is the most sensitive sequence for tuber detection. Tubers are dysplastic lesions that are present in nearly all patients with TSC.](1e9a192d-9465-4571-ad2d-9cee91746917)
*Axial FLAIR MR in a 3-year-old boy with TSC shows a moderate to severe burden of cerebral tubers. Cystic change is seen in a left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>. FLAIR is the most sensitive sequence for tuber detection. Tubers are dysplastic lesions that are present in nearly all patients with TSC.*
![Axial T1 C+ MR in the same patient shows a wedge-shaped, enhancing right cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/>. The majority of cerebellar tubers enhance, in contrast to the cerebral tubers, which rarely enhance.](d5403d4b-6159-45ad-a246-6d6cb6e144cd)
*Axial T1 C+ MR in the same patient shows a wedge-shaped, enhancing right cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/>. The majority of cerebellar tubers enhance, in contrast to the cerebral tubers, which rarely enhance.*
![Axial SWI MR in a 9-year-old boy with TSC shows signal loss within a calcified, wedge-shaped cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>. Approximately 1/3 of all cerebellar tubers are calcified. In contrast to cerebral tubers, which show gyral expansion, cerebellar tubers typically show volume loss.](cbd9bf91-ccfd-4efb-a99e-b0bce488bfd9)
*Axial SWI MR in a 9-year-old boy with TSC shows signal loss within a calcified, wedge-shaped cerebellar tuber <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>. Approximately 1/3 of all cerebellar tubers are calcified. In contrast to cerebral tubers, which show gyral expansion, cerebellar tubers typically show volume loss.*
![Axial T1 C+ MR in a 4-year-old girl with TSC shows a lobular, homogeneously enhancing mass <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in the left caudothalamic groove, consistent with a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.](c2986b4a-6ed9-4fd4-872b-6b09c8790ac0)
*Axial T1 C+ MR in a 4-year-old girl with TSC shows a lobular, homogeneously enhancing mass <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in the left caudothalamic groove, consistent with a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.*
![Axial T1 MR in a 3-month-old girl shows hyperintense radial migration lines <img src='img/arrows/WO.png'/> &amp; cortical/subcortical tubers <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>.](944f448a-e773-4e85-b328-23b733ec29b4)
*Axial T1 MR in a 3-month-old girl shows hyperintense radial migration lines <img src='img/arrows/WO.png'/> &amp; cortical/subcortical tubers <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>.*
![Axial T2 MR in a 9-year-old boy with TSC shows a wedge-shaped tuber <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in the right cerebellum. The decreased T2 signal intensity <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> suggests associated mineralization.](6b69f29d-c05d-448b-ae41-48883d3274b8)
*Axial T2 MR in a 9-year-old boy with TSC shows a wedge-shaped tuber <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in the right cerebellum. The decreased T2 signal intensity <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> suggests associated mineralization.*
![Axial T2 MR shows a mass-like tuber in the left cerebellum <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in this 11-year-old TSC patient. Infratentorial tubers are much less common than supratentorial ones.](a78df4f1-b352-4665-a29e-ace1d03ffff4)
*Axial T2 MR shows a mass-like tuber in the left cerebellum <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in this 11-year-old TSC patient. Infratentorial tubers are much less common than supratentorial ones.*
![AP catheter angiography with injection of the vertebral artery shows a large mid-basilar aneurysm in a 19-month-old with TSC. Aneurysms are a known, but uncommon, manifestation of this disorder.](1bb2d341-4bd8-41f6-b246-09d496691e4e)
*AP catheter angiography with injection of the vertebral artery shows a large mid-basilar aneurysm in a 19-month-old with TSC. Aneurysms are a known, but uncommon, manifestation of this disorder.*
![MRS shows a characteristic short-echo proton spectroscopy profile of a SEGA with depression of NAA <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>, elevation of choline <img src='img/arrows/BC.png'/>, &amp;&nbsp;elevation of myoinositol <img src='img/arrows/BO.png'/>.](550563a6-dbb7-44ec-a066-ede6198f9fb4)
*MRS shows a characteristic short-echo proton spectroscopy profile of a SEGA with depression of NAA <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>, elevation of choline <img src='img/arrows/BC.png'/>, &amp;&nbsp;elevation of myoinositol <img src='img/arrows/BO.png'/>.*
![Axial T1 C+ MR shows multiple enhancing subependymal nodules in a patient with TSC. Enhancement of these nodules is much easier to discern on MR than CT &amp; does not in itself indicate transformation to a SEGA.](a57cef1c-72af-4db0-9be2-f2ed42333b6f)
*Axial T1 C+ MR shows multiple enhancing subependymal nodules in a patient with TSC. Enhancement of these nodules is much easier to discern on MR than CT &amp; does not in itself indicate transformation to a SEGA.*
![Axial FLAIR MR shows bilateral SEGAs <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> at the foramina of Monro that had grown over a 1-year period. These tumors become symptomatic when they cause obstructive hydrocephalus.](7164054c-bd98-45f6-bbcb-cac858a84ce3)
*Axial FLAIR MR shows bilateral SEGAs <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> at the foramina of Monro that had grown over a 1-year period. These tumors become symptomatic when they cause obstructive hydrocephalus.*
![Axial FLAIR MR in the same patient 6 months later, after treatment with an mTOR inhibitor, shows a significant decrease in the size of the tumors <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>.](f0d3f6b0-fc04-401f-a1cd-2e6a992928be)
*Axial FLAIR MR in the same patient 6 months later, after treatment with an mTOR inhibitor, shows a significant decrease in the size of the tumors <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>.*
![Axial NECT shows a calcified lesion <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> of the left frontal lobe in a child with TSC. These stable hamartomatous lesions can be excised to treat seizures. Note the subependymal nodules <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> in the temporal horns.](59be3899-ac73-4286-91fd-216dfe1d6a9b)
*Axial NECT shows a calcified lesion <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> of the left frontal lobe in a child with TSC. These stable hamartomatous lesions can be excised to treat seizures. Note the subependymal nodules <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> in the temporal horns.*
![Axial FLAIR MR in a 3-year-old shows tubers <img src='img/arrows/WO.png'/>, radial white matter lesions <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, &amp; a subependymal nodule <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/>. Note the &quot;empty gyri&quot; in the left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>.](40e8b64c-0526-4577-aa8d-3e6433350f29)
*Axial FLAIR MR in a 3-year-old shows tubers <img src='img/arrows/WO.png'/>, radial white matter lesions <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, &amp; a subependymal nodule <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/>. Note the &quot;empty gyri&quot; in the left parietal lobe tuber <img src='img/arrows/BS.png'/>.*
![Coronal NECT in a 7-year-old girl shows prominent calcifications <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in the subcortical &amp; deep white matter in association with cerebral tubers.](b9c37000-41ea-4fcf-8b69-f5201945d06b)
*Coronal NECT in a 7-year-old girl shows prominent calcifications <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> in the subcortical &amp; deep white matter in association with cerebral tubers.*
![Axial NECT of the left globe shows a calcified retinal lesion <img src='img/arrows/WO.png'/> in a patient with TSC. These hamartomas, sometimes called giant optic drusen, are one of the major criteria for the diagnosis of TSC.](9bdc6d6b-f0d0-4e5d-94bf-312fd92ae626)
*Axial NECT of the left globe shows a calcified retinal lesion <img src='img/arrows/WO.png'/> in a patient with TSC. These hamartomas, sometimes called giant optic drusen, are one of the major criteria for the diagnosis of TSC.*
![Axial FLAIR MR shows multiple tubers &amp;&nbsp;white matter lesions in a teenager with tuberous sclerosis complex. Note the gyral enlargement &amp;&nbsp;distortion <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> of the tubers as well as the radiating, linear white matter abnormalities <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> that track centrally toward the ventricles.](c67fcc3e-4206-459a-8934-5ba3532b98e6)
*Axial FLAIR MR shows multiple tubers &amp;&nbsp;white matter lesions in a teenager with tuberous sclerosis complex. Note the gyral enlargement &amp;&nbsp;distortion <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> of the tubers as well as the radiating, linear white matter abnormalities <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> that track centrally toward the ventricles.*
![Axial NECT in this 1-year-old boy with TSC shows a large hamartomatous lesion <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> in the right frontal lobe with overlying cortical malformation, extensive calcification, &amp; volume loss.](4ae1c620-72da-4b78-8cd0-890bb7b0411f)
*Axial NECT in this 1-year-old boy with TSC shows a large hamartomatous lesion <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> in the right frontal lobe with overlying cortical malformation, extensive calcification, &amp; volume loss.*
![Axial T2 FS MR in this 1-year-old boy with TSC shows a large hamartomatous lesion <img src='img/arrows/BC.png'/> in the right frontal lobe with overlying cortical malformation, extensive calcification, &amp; volume loss.](ac0b8142-a6ed-4f03-b366-f0f59f0154b8)
*Axial T2 FS MR in this 1-year-old boy with TSC shows a large hamartomatous lesion <img src='img/arrows/BC.png'/> in the right frontal lobe with overlying cortical malformation, extensive calcification, &amp; volume loss.*