Sulci Abnormalities

Cerebral sulci are the subarachnoid spaces between the gyri. Normally they contain blood vessels and CSF. Sulci are normally much smaller in volume in infants and children and are a little larger in older people. They are subject to changes in size, symmetry, and density.

Sulci can fill with blood due to subarachnoid hemorrhage whether aneurysmal, traumatic, hypertensive, or of other origin.

They commonly enlarge in cases of brain injury of any etiology when the pathology has evolved into its chronic state.

Diffuse enlargement of sulci can be due rarely to communicating hydrocephalus.

The sulci in this scan are diffusely & symmetrically enlarged to a moderate degree.

Link to Neuroradiology tutor for Sulci anatomy

Transaxial CT showing asymmetry of sulci (and bodies of lateral ventricles) with sulci compressed on the left due to a tumour not shown on this image but obvious on more superior cuts.