Periwinkle sign (supratentorial ependymoma)

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 16 May 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Sarangi P, Gaillard F, Bickle I, Periwinkle sign (supratentorial ependymoma). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-71637

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-71637

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/71637

rID:

71637

Article created:

15 Oct 2019, Pradosh Kumar Sarangi

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Pradosh Kumar Sarangi had no recorded disclosures.

View Pradosh Kumar Sarangi's current disclosures

Last revised:

16 May 2022, Frank Gaillard ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Frank Gaillard had the following disclosures:

Radiopaedia Australia Pty Ltd, Founder and CEO (ongoing)
Biogen Australia Pty Ltd, Investigator-Initiated Research Grant for CAD software development in multiple sclerosis (past)

These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.

View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures

Revisions:

4 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Central Nervous System

Sections:

Signs

The periwinkle sign has been coined to describe what has been claimed to be a characteristic appearance of intraparenchymal supratentorial ependymomas on non-enhanced CT axial images.

The central solid component sometimes demonstrates centripetal calcification surrounding the central necrotic core. This appearance is reminiscent of a periwinkle flower. More fanciful still, the often present surrounding peripheral cyst has been likened to a leaf ¹.

Etymology

For reasons that are not immediately apparent a particular flower, the periwinkle, also known as myrtle herb (Vinca minor) is chosen, although in fairness many flowers would appear similar.