Magnetic resonance imaging of cutis verticis gyrata.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) and familiarize the interpreters of neuroimaging studies with its characteristic appearance and intracranial and systemic associations.

METHODS

The MRI examinations of 12 patients (7 men and 5 women; age range, 16 to 66 years; mean, 40.3 years) with CVG were retrospectively evaluated for distribution, orientation, number of folds, and the associated intracranial or calvarial abnormalities.

RESULTS

Eleven patients had bilateral involvement. The number of folds was 3 to 8 (average, 6), and the direction was anterior-posterior (longitudinal) in 9 patients. Transverse and longitudinal folds coexisted in 3 patients. The subcutaneous tissues underneath CVG were thickened in all patients, whereas skin was thickened in 7. Intracranial abnormalities identified included meningioma, schwannoma, glioma, and prolactin-secreting pituitary microadenoma. There were no skull abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Cutis verticis gyrata CVG has a typical appearance on MRI characterized by scalp undulations due to thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.