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---
title: "Wallerian Degeneration"
docid: "e4bb682d-6534-4176-9d39-34c1a42f3771"
authors:
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value: "Santhosh Gaddikeri, MD"
- key: "a25c450b-3d34-4f64-bba3-cc0834813df6"
value: "Miral D. Jhaveri, MD, MBA"
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name: "Wallerian Degeneration"
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lastUpdated: "08/07/20"
pageDescription: "Wallerian Degeneration"
pageKeywords: "Brain, Diagnosis, Pathology-Based Diagnoses, Acquired Toxic/Metabolic/Degenerative Disorders, Dementias and Degenerative Disorders, Wallerian Degeneration"
pageTitle: "Wallerian Degeneration | STATdx"
enhancedTitle: "Wallerian Degeneration"
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breadcrumbs:
- "Brain"
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- "Acquired Toxic/Metabolic/Degenerative Disorders"
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- "Wallerian Degeneration"
---
# KEY FACTS
- ## Terminology
- Wallerian degeneration (WaD)
- Progressive secondary anterograde degeneration of axons and their myelin sheaths caused by interruption of axonal integrity or damage to neuron
- ## Imaging
- Primary lesion is cortical or subcortical with WaD in descending white matter (WM) tracts ipsilateral to neuronal injury
- WaD can be seen in fibers crossing corpus callosum, fibers of optic radiations, fornices, and cerebellar peduncles
- CT is not sensitive for WaD in acute-subacute stages
- Detects atrophy of corticospinal tracts (CSTs) in chronic stage
- Time-dependent changes in CSTs on MR
- Strong correlation between WaD detected on T2WI and DWI and long-term morbidity
- DWI findings precede development of WaD assessed by conventional MR
- DTI may distinguish between primary lesion and associated WaD
- Reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) with ↑ mean diffusivity (MD) in infarct
- Reduced FA with preserved MD in CST
- ## Top Differential Diagnoses
- Normal CST can appear T2/FLAIR hyperintense on high-field-strength MR
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Brainstem glioma
- Demyelinating and inflammatory diseases
- Hypertrophic olivary degeneration
- Metabolic diseases
- Intoxication (heroin inhalation)
# TERMINOLOGY
- ## Abbreviations
- Wallerian degeneration (WaD)
- ## Definitions
- Progressive secondary anterograde degeneration of axons and their myelin sheaths caused by interruption of axonal integrity or damage to neuron
# IMAGING
- ## General Features
- ### Best diagnostic clue
- Contiguous T2 hyperintensity along topographic distribution of corticospinal tract (CST) in internal capsule (IC) and brainstem in patients with various cerebral pathologies
- ### Location
- Primary lesion: Cortical or subcortical
- WaD: Descending white matter (WM) tracts ipsilateral to neuronal injury
- CST, corticobulbar, corticopontocerebellar tracts
- Corpus callosum, posterior column of spinal cord, limbic circuit, and optic pathway
- Center of cerebral peduncle may reveal WaD of CST
- Lateral side of cerebral peduncle may show WaD of corticopontine tract
- WaD can be seen in corpus callosum, optic radiations, fornices, and cerebellar peduncles
- WaD in distal optic radiations after infarction at their root
- Pontine infarct can cause WaD in middle cerebellar peduncle
- Corpus callosum has been shown to be susceptible to atrophy in Alzheimer disease mainly as correlate of WaD of commissural nerve fibers of neocortex
- Callosal atrophy is present predominantly in latest stage of Alzheimer disease
- Seizure-induced damage may cause secondary WM degeneration along tapetum and through splenium of corpus callosum
- ### Size
- Acute stage: Normal size
- Chronic stage: ↓ (atrophy)
- ### Morphology
- Signal changes conforming to WM tract shape
- Oval regions in posterior limb of IC and cerebral peduncle; thin curvilinear regions in pons
- ## CT Findings
- ### NECT
- Not sensitive for WaD in acute-subacute stages
- Detects atrophy of CSTs in chronic stage
- ↓ size of corresponding aspect of brainstem
- ## MR Findings
- ### T1WI
- Time-dependent changes in descending WM tracts
- Stage 1: No changes
- Stage 2: T1 hyperintense
- Stage 3: T1 hypointense
- Stage 4: Ipsilateral brainstem atrophy ± hypointensity
- ### T2WI
- Time-dependent changes in descending WM tracts
- Stage 1: No changes in adult CNS
- Stage 2: T2 hypointense
- Stage 3: T2 hyperintense
- Stage 4: Atrophy, best seen in brainstem
- Sometimes, T2 hyperintense signal may persist
- Neonates and infants: Identification of WaD by T2WI complicated by high water content and lack of myelination in immature WM
- Adults: Strong correlation between T2WI-detected WaD and long-term morbidity
- ### FLAIR
- Same as T2WI
- ### DWI
- Can demonstrate acute injury to descending WM tracts < 10 days after primary injury such as infarction
- Neonates and infants: Indicates acute WM injury
- DWI findings precede development of WaD assessed by conventional MR
- May portend poor clinical outcome
- Adults: Correlation of DW changes in descending motor pathways at presentation with long-term neurologic disability
- ↑ signal intensity in descending WM tract ipsilateral to territorial infarct at level of IC or cerebral peduncle or both
- ↓ ADC values in involved WM tract compared with normal WM
- Extent and severity of territorial ischemia is related to development of descending WM tract injury detectable by DWI
- Hyperintense DW signal intensity and ↓ ADC values within territorial infarct and ipsilateral CST
- DW and ADC time courses in region of territorial injury and CST injury may be different
- Relatively delayed development of diffusion abnormality in descending WM tracts
- Subacute period after territorial infarction in adults
- Within infarct, WM ADC reduction > that in GM
- DW signal intensity abnormality in descending WM tracts may persist, even as DW hyperintensity in ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere fades
- WaD of inferior cerebellar peduncle (after lateral medullary infarction) depicted by thin slice DWI has been reported
- ### T1WI C+
- No contrast enhancement of degenerated tracts
- ### MRS
- ¹H-MRS enables in vivo assessment of axonal injury based on signal intensity of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)
- ↓ NAA concentration in normal-appearing WM in pons and cerebellar peduncles in early stages of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Evidence of early WaD outside MS plaques
- Correlates best with disability, MS duration, and relapse rate
- DTI
- Myelin breakdown leads to ↓ diffusion anisotropy
- DTI may distinguish between primary lesion and associated WaD
- Difference in diffusion properties between primary lesion and degenerated tract
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) = measure of directionality of water diffusion
- Mean diffusivity (MD) = measure of amount of water diffusion
- Reduced FA with ↑ MD in infarct
- Reduced FA with preserved MD in CST
- In patients with motor pathway infarction, diffusion indices in degenerated CST stabilize within 3 months and early changes in CST FA may predict long-term clinical outcomes
- ## Imaging Recommendations
- ### Best imaging tool
- MR
- ### Protocol advice
- DWI allows early detection (stage 1)
- T2WI detects changes after 4 weeks
# DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
- ## Normal CST
- CST can appear T2/FLAIR hyperintense on 3T MR (normal fully myelinated brain)
- ## Neurodegenerative Diseases
- [Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (upper &/or lower motor neuron involvement)](/document/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als/23de52b7-d9bd-441c-a18c-95c8afccb470)
- Bilateral hyperintensities along CST extending from corona radiata to brainstem on T2WI/PD/FLAIR
- Primary lateral sclerosis and infantile-onset hereditary spastic paraplegia
- Upper motor neuron degeneration only
- [Brainstem Glioma](/document/brainstem-tumors/657b37eb-c286-42bf-b8e6-55b5c20e5e50)
- T2 hyperintense mass ± enhancement
- ## Demyelinating and Inflammatory Diseases
- [MS: Periventricular T2 hyperintensity](/document/multiple-sclerosis/7892b2a2-f52a-4d7f-9858-a326f2b7ab04)
- [ADEM: Asymmetric T2 hyperintensity in WM and gray matter (GM) after viral prodrome](/document/adem/a3fafeb7-5861-4364-beb8-c0e30220564e)
- [Behçet disease: Enlarged T2 hyperintense brainstem ± thalamus](/document/behet-disease/4e447bb6-0f14-40e1-929a-4c1465feec0a)
- [Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration](/document/hypertrophic-olivary-degeneration/78257543-6d52-4879-84b1-445f3611d996)
- Secondary degeneration of inferior olivary nucleus (ION), usually caused by primary lesions in dentato-rubro-olivary pathway
- Time-dependent T2 changes of ION
- Hyperintense signal without hypertrophy of ION: Within first 6 months of ictus
- Both ↑ signal and hypertrophy of ION: Between 6 months and 3-4 years after ictus
- Only ↑ signal in ION: Begins when hypertrophy resolves and can persist indefinitely
- ## Metabolic Diseases
- [X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: Enhancing peritrigonal demyelination](/document/x-linked-adrenoleukodystrophy/0543abe3-8086-488b-85d2-483ce458f345)
- [Wilson disease: WM and GM lesions involving basal ganglia, dentate nucleus, brainstem](/document/wilson-disease/3d4d4876-4ce4-4af0-9e75-1a419bdd813c)
- [Hypoglycemic coma: Reversible CST changes](/document/adult-hypoglycemia/38e4de6e-07c4-485e-bac1-f4dd4815b3b8)
- [Heroin Inhalation](/document/drug-abuse/e4502a67-4b96-4d98-a167-6e90f6b65faf)
- Symmetric T2 hyperintensity in posterior WM, including posterior limb of IC
# PATHOLOGY
- ## General Features
- ### Etiology
- Infarction, hemorrhage, neoplasm, encephalitis
- Demyelinating disease, trauma, arteriovenous malformations
- Reported also in patients with movement disorder
- ### Genetics
- Process of axonal degeneration is genetically regulated
- ### Associated abnormalities
- Primary lesion/disorder that caused secondary WM tract degeneration
- ## Staging, Grading, & Classification
- Stage 1 (0-4 weeks)
- Degradation of axon; mild changes in myelin
- Stage 2 (4-14 weeks)
- Myelin protein breakdown; lipids remain intact
- Stage 3 (> 14 weeks)
- Myelin lipid breakdown, gliosis, changes in water content and structure
- Stage 4 (after months to years)
- Atrophy of ipsilateral brainstem
- ## Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
- Brainstem asymmetry due to atrophy in chronic stage
- ## Microscopic Features
- Stage 1: Beginning of myelin and axon breakdown
- Myelin sheaths break up into ellipsoids and spheres but retain myelin-staining properties
- Stage 2: ↓ protein:lipid ratio
- Stage 3: ↑ edema and further lipid breakdown
- Stage 4: Atrophy due to volume loss; removal of axonal debris by microglia continues for 2 years (vs. completed in 3 weeks in peripheral nervous system)
- Expression of transcription factors *ATF3* and *JUN* by nonneuronal cells during WaD
- *ATF3*/*JUN* heterodimers may play role in regulating changes in gene expression necessary for preparing distal segments of injured peripheral nerves for axonal regeneration
- Absence of *ATF3* and *JUN* from CNS glia during WaD may limit their ability to support regeneration
- In CNS, astrocyte-dominated matrix fails to accommodate new axonal growth
# CLINICAL ISSUES
- ## Presentation
- ### Most common signs/symptoms
- WaD in CST is associated with persistent hemiparesis
- ## Demographics
- ### Age
- Reported in all ages
- ### Sex
- No preference
- ### Epidemiology
- WaD commonly follows CNS lesions
- WaD in pyramidal tract reported in 78.6% of cases of capsular infarct
- ## Natural History & Prognosis
- WaD may begin within 1 week of fiber tract damage
- Demyelination can continue during next 6 months
- Signifies irreversible loss of neuronal function
- Little evidence of axonal regeneration in CNS
- Presence or absence of WaD may influence clinical outcome after stroke
- Extent of WaD is related to severity of motor deficit
- Abnormal DWI signal in CST can be acute predictor of motor outcome in childhood infarction
- Contralesional CST abnormal DWI signal predicts severe hemiparesis
- ## Treatment
- No specific therapy
# DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
- ## Image Interpretation Pearls
- In ischemic stroke: Important to differentiate DWI abnormality related to WaD from additional infarction
- Time-specific signal intensity changes of WaD → able to ascertain age of primary lesion
b1941e68-6700-4295-b371-61c4b12e78ad
## References
# Selected References
1. [Zuo M et al: Wallerian degeneration in experimental focal cortical ischemia. Brain Res Bull. 149:194-202, 2019](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=31051228%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Shen Y et al: Bilateral wallerian degeneration of the middle cerebellar peduncles secondary to pontine infarction: a case series. J Neurol Sci. 388:182-5, 2018](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=29627018%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Zhang ZY et al: Clinical and radiological features of wallerian degeneration of the middle cerebellar peduncles secondary to pontine infarction. Chin Med J (Engl). 131(6):665-71, 2018](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=29521288%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Chen YJ et al: Wallerian degeneration beyond the corticospinal tracts: conventional and advanced MRI findings. J Neuroimaging. 27(3):272-80, 2017](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=28072502%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Jimenez-Gomez A et al: Teaching neuroimages: wallerian degeneration in evolving pediatric stroke. Neurology. 89(13):e166-7, 2017](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=28947589%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Gandhi K et al: Progressive wallerian degeneration of the corpus callosal splenium in a patient with alexia without agraphia: advanced MR findings. Neuroradiol J. 27(6):653-6, 2014](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=25489886%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Kleinman JT: Early wallerian degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging: underappreciated but highly relevant. Dev Med Child Neurol. 55(2):104-5, 2013](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23171080%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Saksena S et al: The corpus callosum wallerian degeneration in the unilateral brain tumors: evaluation with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). J Clin Diagn Res. 7(2):320-5, 2013](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23543618%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Venkatasubramanian C et al: Natural history and prognostic value of corticospinal tract wallerian degeneration in intracerebral hemorrhage. J Am Heart Assoc. 2(4):e000090, 2013](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23913508%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Domi T et al: Corticospinal tract pre-wallerian degeneration: a novel outcome predictor for pediatric stroke on acute MRI. Stroke. 40(3):780-7, 2009](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19131656%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Liang Z et al: Progression of pathological changes in the middle cerebellar peduncle by diffusion tensor imaging correlates with lesser motor gains after pontine infarction. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 23(7):692-8, 2009](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19244384%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Oh MY et al: Ipsilateral wallerian degeneration of the distal optic radiations after infarction at their root. J Neuroophthalmol. 29(2):146-8, 2009](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19491641%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Yu C et al: A longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study on wallerian degeneration of corticospinal tract after motor pathway stroke. Neuroimage. 47(2):451-8, 2009](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19409500%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [De Simone T et al: Wallerian degeneration of the pontocerebellar fibers. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 26(5):1062-5, 2005](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=15891160%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Hunt D et al: ATF3 upregulation in glia during wallerian degeneration: differential expression in peripheral nerves and CNS white matter. BMC Neurosci. 5:9, 2004](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=15113454%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Uchino A et al: Transient detection of early wallerian degeneration on diffusion-weighted MRI after an acute cerebrovascular accident. Neuroradiology. 46(3):183-8, 2004](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=14991261%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Casanova B et al: Evidence of wallerian degeneration in normal appearing white matter in the early stages of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a HMRS study. J Neurol. 250(1):22-8, 2003](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=12527988%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Mazumdar A et al: Diffusion-weighted imaging of acute corticospinal tract injury preceding wallerian degeneration in the maturing human brain. Am J Neuroradiol 24:1057-66, 2003](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=12812927%5Bpmid%5D)
1. [Pierpaoli C et al: Water diffusion changes in wallerian degeneration and their dependence on white matter architecture. Neuroimage. 13(6 Pt 1):1174-85, 2001](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=11352623%5Bpmid%5D)
## Images
### Selected Images
![Coronal T2WI shows a cavernous malformation in left precentral gyrus <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. T2 hyperintensity along the course of cortical spinal tract (CST) <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> indicating antegrade wallerian degeneration (WaD).](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_809d7d61-5bee-471d-9b35-3d3cd0a0acc1_size_168_quality_85_9bd79c13_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Coronal T2WI shows a cavernous malformation in left precentral gyrus <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. T2 hyperintensity along the course of cortical spinal tract (CST) <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> indicating antegrade wallerian degeneration (WaD).*
![Axial NECT shows changes of a remote right-sided craniotomy with right frontotemporal encephalomalacia <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> and atrophy of right cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> due to antegrade WaD. Also note ex vacuo dilation of right lateral ventricle <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/>.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_da07f6f6-d8db-4e3a-87b4-e89cb816ceb1_size_168_quality_85_10892cc9_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial NECT shows changes of a remote right-sided craniotomy with right frontotemporal encephalomalacia <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> and atrophy of right cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> due to antegrade WaD. Also note ex vacuo dilation of right lateral ventricle <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/>.*
![Axial DWI in a patient with recent infarcts in the left occipital lobe <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> and left internal capsule <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> show restricted diffusion restriction along splenium <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>, indicating WaD.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_dade848a-5921-4ea9-8a9b-c049c538f69f_size_168_quality_85_e03c3abb_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial DWI in a patient with recent infarcts in the left occipital lobe <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> and left internal capsule <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> show restricted diffusion restriction along splenium <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>, indicating WaD.*
![Left pontine remote infarct with WaD of bilateral middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs) is shown. Axial FLAIR (A) shows left pontine small remote infarct <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Axial FLAIR (B) &amp; diffusion weighted image (C) show hyperintense signal in MCPs <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> due to WaD.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_dca0cc72-9abc-4e6d-a489-778faec1f255_size_168_quality_85_75135b6f_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Left pontine remote infarct with WaD of bilateral middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs) is shown. Axial FLAIR (A) shows left pontine small remote infarct <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>. Axial FLAIR (B) &amp; diffusion weighted image (C) show hyperintense signal in MCPs <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> due to WaD.*
![Axial ADC map in a newborn with acute infarcts in bilateral frontal and right occipital lobes <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> shows decreased ADC signal in the genu <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> and splenium <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> of the corpus callosum due to acute WaD.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_96dbfa67-04fd-4751-b8c4-7f6d0d59954e_size_168_quality_85_62d93624_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial ADC map in a newborn with acute infarcts in bilateral frontal and right occipital lobes <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> shows decreased ADC signal in the genu <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> and splenium <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> of the corpus callosum due to acute WaD.*
![Axial T2WI in the same patient shows increased T2 signal in bilateral frontal and right occipital lobes <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> corresponding to acute infarcts. Subtle hyperintense signal in genu <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> &amp; splenium <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> is difficult to assess due to high water content in the neonatal brain.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_e4a74964-1b49-48e3-94f7-7f957decdab8_size_168_quality_85_3eebb6fe_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI in the same patient shows increased T2 signal in bilateral frontal and right occipital lobes <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> corresponding to acute infarcts. Subtle hyperintense signal in genu <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> &amp; splenium <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/> is difficult to assess due to high water content in the neonatal brain.*
![Coronal T2WI in a 6-year-old boy with left-sided spasticity and history of perinatal insult shows periventricular cystic encephalomalacia <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> with ex vacuo dilation of the right lateral ventricle.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_4797a89e-fb7f-45ac-8ee5-1c5ec3fc15a5_size_168_quality_85_18c06005_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Coronal T2WI in a 6-year-old boy with left-sided spasticity and history of perinatal insult shows periventricular cystic encephalomalacia <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/> with ex vacuo dilation of the right lateral ventricle.*
![Axial DTI in the same patient shows decreased fractional anisotropy in the right pontine corticospinal tract <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> due to WaD. Note intact CST on the contralateral side <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_5b13dbae-c444-4aa2-a02f-0600e21acc72_size_168_quality_85_780bcb4b_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial DTI in the same patient shows decreased fractional anisotropy in the right pontine corticospinal tract <img src='img/arrows/CO.png'/> due to WaD. Note intact CST on the contralateral side <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>.*
![Axial FLAIR MR at the corona radiata level in a 65 year old with bilateral (left &gt; &gt; right) corona radiata infiltrative low-grade glioma and WaD of cerebral peduncles shows white matter (WM) hyperintense signal due to an infiltrative glioma <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_480942b5-b80c-4b1b-88d5-7be5cd3850a2_size_168_quality_85_74926a7a_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial FLAIR MR at the corona radiata level in a 65 year old with bilateral (left &gt; &gt; right) corona radiata infiltrative low-grade glioma and WaD of cerebral peduncles shows white matter (WM) hyperintense signal due to an infiltrative glioma <img src='img/arrows/CS.png'/>.*
![Axial FLAIR image in the same patient shows mild atrophy and hyperintense signal in bilateral cerebral peduncles <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/>. Considering atrophy of cerebral peduncles, WaD was considered more likely than tumor extension.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_520244e8-03d3-479a-a71c-30eb9ad1c262_size_168_quality_85_7cb1dbbb_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial FLAIR image in the same patient shows mild atrophy and hyperintense signal in bilateral cerebral peduncles <img src='img/arrows/CC.png'/>. Considering atrophy of cerebral peduncles, WaD was considered more likely than tumor extension.*
### Additional Images
![Axial T2WI MR in a patient with left middle cerebral artery infarct (not shown) shows high signal intensity in the left cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, consistent with WaD.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_518494c9-aee2-4ee0-8b85-d4ccb645267e_size_168_quality_85_ead13e0c_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR in a patient with left middle cerebral artery infarct (not shown) shows high signal intensity in the left cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, consistent with WaD.*
![Axial T2WI MR shows a large left middle cerebral artery infarct, which resulted in ipsilateral WaD (not shown).](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_8ca6727a-93ca-4a56-a70e-c3900ebb4392_size_168_quality_85_95ae8d21_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR shows a large left middle cerebral artery infarct, which resulted in ipsilateral WaD (not shown).*
![Axial T2WI MR in the same patient illustrates the hyperintense signal within the left cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> from WaD.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_5afe2684-25ec-4eda-a313-72b54d85f067_size_168_quality_85_2f2755ed_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR in the same patient illustrates the hyperintense signal within the left cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/> from WaD.*
![Axial T2WI MR in the same patient shows hyperintense signal in crossing CSTs in the left side of the pons <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, consistent with WaD.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_93dd9c03-d60b-4f75-b471-46f06ad4ec89_size_168_quality_85_16531f59_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR in the same patient shows hyperintense signal in crossing CSTs in the left side of the pons <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, consistent with WaD.*
![Axial T2WI MR in the same patient shows hyperintense signal in the right side of the medulla <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, consistent with WaD.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_a4678f46-d7d2-4f6c-94e3-ca7ae10a285a_size_168_quality_85_beb9a50f_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR in the same patient shows hyperintense signal in the right side of the medulla <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>, consistent with WaD.*
![Axial T2WI MR in a patient with a left middle cerebral artery infarct shows no abnormal signal in the pons, although diffusion revealed abnormality from WaD (not shown).](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_1a4e7ae8-e0a1-4cfb-b104-57d06c13e827_size_168_quality_85_530818e5_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR in a patient with a left middle cerebral artery infarct shows no abnormal signal in the pons, although diffusion revealed abnormality from WaD (not shown).*
![Anisotropy map in which high anisotropy values are seen in red shows diminished anisotropy in the left side of the pons despite normal T2WI in the same patient.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_2a176a4d-526b-436e-822e-ebff3609bfc3_size_168_quality_85_e018a06c_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Anisotropy map in which high anisotropy values are seen in red shows diminished anisotropy in the left side of the pons despite normal T2WI in the same patient.*
![Axial DTI trace image shows increased signal in the left corona radiata/CST related to an acute infarct <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>. DTI may distinguish between the primary lesion and associated WaD. Reduced fractional anisotropy may be seen in the affected CST.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_6055f789-fb0a-4003-8588-9a81bca27074_size_168_quality_85_ad900f04_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial DTI trace image shows increased signal in the left corona radiata/CST related to an acute infarct <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>. DTI may distinguish between the primary lesion and associated WaD. Reduced fractional anisotropy may be seen in the affected CST.*
![Axial DTI trace shows increased signal in the central cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> related to CST WaD. The lateral cerebral peduncle may show corticopontine tract involvement.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_08294a4a-2020-47b4-acde-9225ebc28a8c_size_168_quality_85_a54efea1_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial DTI trace shows increased signal in the central cerebral peduncle <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> related to CST WaD. The lateral cerebral peduncle may show corticopontine tract involvement.*
![Axial T2WI MR shows a heterogeneous hyperintense lesion involving the left corona radiata and CST <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> related to a glioblastoma. Note the internal curvilinear T2 hypointensity related to blood products or proteinaceous debris.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_8d26d9cb-fc4e-4049-83df-5b63b2ebed6d_size_168_quality_85_7d23c50d_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR shows a heterogeneous hyperintense lesion involving the left corona radiata and CST <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> related to a glioblastoma. Note the internal curvilinear T2 hypointensity related to blood products or proteinaceous debris.*
![Axial T2WI MR in the same patient shows cerebral peduncle hyperintensity <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> due to CST WaD from the tumor. There is slight volume loss with linear T2 hypointensity along the posterolateral margin <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>.](images/app.statdx.com_image_thumbnail_b2d998c9-9248-46b7-a12d-c6cd5d12fb0b_size_168_quality_85_16115342_20251014T204627Z.jpg)
*Axial T2WI MR in the same patient shows cerebral peduncle hyperintensity <img src='img/arrows/WC.png'/> due to CST WaD from the tumor. There is slight volume loss with linear T2 hypointensity along the posterolateral margin <img src='img/arrows/WS.png'/>.*