title: T1 hyperintense disc in alkaptonuria.
abstract: METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report a rare case of alkaptonuria presenting as a T1-hyperintense disc herniation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A 46-year-old man without previous diagnosis of alkaptonuria underwent evaluation for progressive back pain revealing a T1-hyperintense disc herniation at the L3-L4 level. Discectomy recovered a blackened disc that was pathologically confirmed to be nucleus pulposus with alkaptonuric involvement. The differential diagnosis of a T1-hyperintense, T2-hypointense disc on magnetic resonance imaging is discussed, with emphasis on the pathophysiology of alkaptonuria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single patient is reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pathologically proven patient presentation with radiological and pathological images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report a rare case of alkaptonuria presenting as a T1-hyperintense disc herniation.
authors: Department of Radiology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA. alan.sag@beaumont.edu
authors: Alan A
authors: AA
authors: Sag
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Silbergleit
authors: Rick E
authors: RE
authors: Olson
authors: Jon
authors: J
authors: Wilson
authors: Anant
authors: A
authors: Krishnan
mesh_terms: D000474:Alkaptonuria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017586:Diskectomy; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009794:Ochronosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome