Virchow–Robin space

Virchow–Robin space, also known as the perivascular space or Virchow–Robin space, is a small cavity that surrounds blood vessels as they penetrate the brain. These spaces are named after the German pathologist Rudolf Virchow and the French anatomist Charles-Philippe Robin, who first described them in the 19th century.

A Virchow–Robin CSF space as seen on CT

Structure

Virchow–Robin spaces are found in the central nervous system, particularly around small arteries and arterioles as they enter the brain parenchyma. These spaces are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and are lined by a layer of pia mater, a thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. The spaces play a crucial role in the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the blood vessels and the surrounding brain tissue.

Function

The primary function of Virchow–Robin spaces is to provide a pathway for the flow of CSF around blood vessels in the brain. This allows for the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between the blood and the brain tissue. Additionally, these spaces may serve as a protective cushion for the blood vessels, helping to prevent damage from mechanical stress.

Clinical Significance

Virchow–Robin spaces are important in the context of various neurological conditions. Enlargement of these spaces, known as Virchow–Robin spaces dilatation, can be seen on neuroimaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While the presence of a few dilated spaces is considered normal, extensive dilation may be associated with certain neurological disorders, including cerebral small vessel disease and neurodegenerative conditions.

References

• Rudolf Virchow
• Charles-Philippe Robin
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Central nervous system
• Arterioles
• Pia mater
• Cerebral small vessel disease