title: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy: hypertrophy of ligaments supporting the spinal cord.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitajima
authors.forename: Yukunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Korogi
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamura
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ikushima
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashida
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: 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