title: Marchiafava-Bignami-like injury of the corpus callosum in an infant.
abstract: We report on a 16-month-old boy who presented with truncal ataxia and intermittent nystagmus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 19 months showed a T (2)-hyperintensity of the splenium and the genu of the corpus callosum with extension into the adjacent frontal white matter. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed a corresponding area of restricted diffusion, suggesting cytotoxic oedema. The extent and localisation of the signal abnormalities mimic tissue injury as seen in Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD). Metabolic investigations were normal. Follow-up imaging at 24 months showed a similar T (2)-hyperintensity of the corpus callosum and white matter while on DTI the cytotoxic oedema had resolved. Clinically a remaining truncal and gait ataxia, clumsiness and a developmental delay is seen. Goal of this case report is (a) to present a rare case of Marchiafava-Bignami-like injury of the corpus callosum in an infant and (b) to discuss the neuroradiological imaging findings including MRI and DTI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. sandra.toelle@kispi.unizh.ch
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Toelle
authors.forename: T A G M
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boltshauser
mesh_terms: D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000473:pathology*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods