Dawson fingers on MRI are best described as lesions oriented how relative to the ventricles?

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Multiple Choice

Dawson fingers on MRI are best described as lesions oriented how relative to the ventricles?

Dawson fingers reflect periventricular demyelinating lesions in multiple sclerosis that extend outward from the ventricles along small veins. The inflammatory process tracks along these perivenular vessels, which run perpendicular to the ventricular surface, producing the characteristic finger-like projections radiating away from the ventricles. On MRI, these appear as hyperintense, finger-like lesions on T2/FLAIR, best illustrating why the orientation is perpendicular to the ventricles. While MS can involve the corpus callosum or brainstem, Dawson fingers are defined by their periventricular, radial (perpendicular) orientation, not by being confined to other structures.

Dawson fingers reflect periventricular demyelinating lesions in multiple sclerosis that extend outward from the ventricles along small veins. The inflammatory process tracks along these perivenular vessels, which run perpendicular to the ventricular surface, producing the characteristic finger-like projections radiating away from the ventricles. On MRI, these appear as hyperintense, finger-like lesions on T2/FLAIR, best illustrating why the orientation is perpendicular to the ventricles. While MS can involve the corpus callosum or brainstem, Dawson fingers are defined by their periventricular, radial (perpendicular) orientation, not by being confined to other structures.

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