T2-FLAIR mismatch sign: a roadmap of pearls and pitfalls

Br J Radiol. 2022 Jan 1;95(1129):20210825. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20210825. Epub 2021 Oct 7.

Abstract

T2-FLAIR mismatch sign has been advocated to be 100% specific for IDH-mutant 1p/19q non-codeleted gliomas (diffuse astrocytomas). However, false positives have been reported in recent works. Loose application of the criteria may lead to erroneous classification, especially by non-trained neuroradiologists. In this pictorial essay, we aim to bring attention to the need for strict criteria for the application of T2-FLAIR mismatch sign and to discuss the potential pitfalls in the application of these criteria. For that, a series of adult brain tumour cases are presented to demonstrate how to apply this radiological sign in the clinical practice.

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / classification
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / genetics
  • Glioma / classification
  • Glioma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Glioma / genetics*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Mutation
  • Neuroimaging

Substances

  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase