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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 25:649-657, April 2004
© 2004 American Society of Neuroradiology

PEDIATRICS

MR Imaging and Proton MR Spectroscopic Studies in Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome: Characterization of the Leukoencephalopathy

Michèl A. A. P. Willemsen^a, Marinette van der Graaf^b, Marjo S. van der Knaap^c, Arend Heerschap^b, Peter H. M. F. van Domburg^d, Fons J. M. Gabreëls^a and Jan J. Rotteveel^a

^a Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Center Nijmegen
^b Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Nijmegen
^c Department of Child Neurology, Free University Medical Center, Amsterdam
^d Department of Neurology, Laurentius Hospital, Roermond the Netherlands

Address reprint requests to Dr Michèl A.A.P. Willemsen, Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a neurocutaneous syndrome caused by a genetic enzyme deficiency in lipid metabolism. Our purpose was to characterize the nature of the cerebral involvement in SLS.

METHODS: MR imaging was performed in 18 patients (aged 5 months to 45 years) and repeated in 14. Single-voxel proton MR spectra were acquired from cerebral white matter and gray matter in 16 patients, with follow-up studies in 11. LCModel fits were used to determine brain metabolite levels.

RESULTS: MR imaging showed retardation of myelination and a mild persistent myelin deficit. A zone of increased signal intensity was seen in the periventricular white matter on T2-weighted images. Proton MR spectroscopy of white matter revealed a prominent peak at 1.3 ppm, normal levels of N-acetylaspartate, and elevated levels of creatine (+14%), choline (+18%), and myo-inositol (+54%). MR imaging and proton MR spectroscopy of gray matter were normal. In the two patients examined during the first years of life, abnormalities on MR imaging and proton MR spectroscopy gradually emerged and then stabilized, as in all other patients.

CONCLUSION: Abnormalities on MR imaging and proton MR spectroscopy emerge during the first years of life and are similar in all patients with SLS, but the severity varies. The changes are confined to cerebral white matter and suggest an accumulation of lipids, periventricular gliosis, delayed myelination, and a mild permanent myelin deficit.

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