Efface

Changed by Brian Gilcrease-Garcia, 12 Mar 2018

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Efface is a term frequently used by radiologists, most often in the context of CSF-containing spaces in the brain (sulci and ventricles). Unfortunately, it is often used incorrectly. 

The word efface, in general English usage, means to cause something to fade or disappear 1,2.

In the context of radiology it should be taken to mean that a space or cavity has been obliterated by the external application of mass effect. 

For example, a brain tumour, exerting mass effect on the adjacent brain, may efface the overlyingadjacent cerebral sulci or adjacent cerebral ventricles. This implies that no CSF remains in the spacethose spaces. If there is incomplete obliteration of the space then one can use the term 'partial effacement'. 

It is important to note that intrinsic obliteration, for example in the setting of congenital asymmetry of the ventricles, is not effacement.

  • -<p><strong>Efface</strong> is a term frequently used by radiologists, most often in the context of <a href="/articles/cerebrospinal-fluid-1">CSF</a>-containing spaces in the brain (<a href="/articles/sulcus">sulci</a> and <a href="/articles/ventricular-system">ventricles</a>). Unfortunately, it is often used incorrectly. </p><p>The word efface, in general English usage, means to cause something to fade or disappear <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><p>In the context of radiology it should be taken to mean that a space or cavity has been obliterated by the external application of mass effect. </p><p>For example, a brain tumour, exerting mass effect on the adjacent brain, may efface the overlying cerebral sulci or adjacent cerebral ventricles. This implies that no CSF remains in the space. If there is incomplete obliteration of the space then one can use the term 'partial effacement'. </p><p>It is important to note that intrinsic obliteration, for example in the setting of congenital asymmetry of the ventricles, is not effacement.</p>
  • +<p><strong>Efface</strong> is a term frequently used by radiologists, most often in the context of <a href="/articles/cerebrospinal-fluid-1">CSF</a>-containing spaces in the brain (<a href="/articles/sulcus">sulci</a> and <a href="/articles/ventricular-system">ventricles</a>). Unfortunately, it is often used incorrectly. </p><p>The word efface, in general English usage, means to cause something to fade or disappear <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><p>In the context of radiology it should be taken to mean that a space or cavity has been obliterated by the external application of mass effect. </p><p>For example, a brain tumour exerting mass effect on the adjacent brain may <em>efface </em>the adjacent cerebral sulci or ventricles. This implies that no CSF remains in those spaces. If there is incomplete obliteration of the space then one can use the term 'partial effacement'. </p><p>It is important to note that intrinsic obliteration, for example in the setting of congenital asymmetry of the ventricles, is not effacement.</p>

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