Familial amyloid polyneuropathy: hypertrophy of ligaments supporting the spinal cord.
We describe characteristic spinal MR findings of two cases of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Both cases showed leptomeningeal enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted image. In addition, three-dimensional constructive interference in steady-state imaging demonstrated thickening of the ligaments, other connective tissues within the spinal canal, dura matter, and dorsal nerve roots. These findings in FAP are felt to represent amyloid deposition.
Kitajima
Mika
M
Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto, Japan.
Korogi
Yukunori
Y
Yamura
Masayuki
M
Ikushima
Ichiro
I
Hayashida
Yoshiko
Y
Ando
Yukio
Y
Uchino
Makoto
M
Yamashita
Yasuyuki
Y
D000328:Adult; D028227:Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology