title: Cree leukoencephalopathy: neuroimaging findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in Cree leukoencephalopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records and neuroimaging studies in 12 infants with Cree leukoencephalopathy (CT in 12 infants, MR in six). The diagnosis was established clinically in six patients and at autopsy in the other six.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At CT, extensive, diffuse, and symmetric hypoattenuation was seen in the cerebral and cerebellar white matter in all 12 patients. Hypoattenuation was also seen in the corpus callosum in 11 (92%), internal capsule in 10 (83%), globus pallidus in nine (75%), brainstem in nine (75%), and thalamus in four (33%). The caudate nucleus and putamen were spared. On T2-weighted MR images in six patients, the cerebral and cerebellar white matter, including the subcortical arcuate fibers, was hyperintense as were the internal capsule, corpus callosum, corticospinal tracts, and globus pallidus. The thalamus was affected in four (67%) patients, pons in five (83%), and medulla in four (33%). The caudate nucleus and putamen were not affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cree leukoencephalopathy causes striking symmetric and diffuse involvement of the cerebral and cerebellar white matter and brainstem with sparing of the caudate nucleus and putamen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Montreal Children's Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Alorainy
authors.forename: Y G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Patenaude
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: O'Gorman
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meagher-Villemure
mesh_terms: D004660:Encephalitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D011792:Quebec; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed