[Subtle brain abnormalities in adrenomyeloneuropathy].
OBJECTIVE
To describe subtle brain abnormalities detected on MRI in adult patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). Materials and methods. Retrospective evaluation of data acquired prospectively as part of a clinical trial (Riluzole) in 66 adult patients with AMN without obvious brain lesion on MR. All patients underwent brain MR including T1W, T2W, FLAIR and spectroscopy. After a review had been validated by three different reviewers, review of MR images was performed by consensus using a semi-quantitative scale.


RESULTS
Preliminary analysis of MR images confirmed the presence of signal abnormalities involving the corticospinal tracts in 36 patients (54.6%). Additional subtle abnormalities were also detected: white matter palor, mainly parieto-occipital in location, with patchy hyperintensity in 36 patients (54.6%), hyperintense pontocerebellar fibers on T2W and FLAIR in 25 patients (41.7%). The presence of elevated Cho/Cr and mI/Cr ratios, described in the literature, were confirmed.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective study allows the description of an AMN pattern on MRI in patients without white matter or callosal abnormalities.
Teriitehau
C
C
Service de Radiologie. H.I.A. Percy, boulevard Henry Barbusse, 92 Clamart, France - 16 rue des Réservoirs, 78000 Versailles, France. cterii@caramail.com
Adamsbaum
C
C
Merzoug
V
V
Kalifa
G
G
Tourbah
A
A
Aubourg
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000326:Adrenoleukodystrophy / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle / Q000473:pathology; D002794:Choline / Q000032:analysis; D003401:Creatine / Q000032:analysis; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007294:Inositol / Q000032:analysis; D020772:Internal Capsule / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology
D001224:Aspartic Acid; D007294:Inositol; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline