Skip to main content
Log in

MRI appearances of metachromatic leukodystrophy

  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background. The leukodystrophies constitute a wide spectrum of cerebral disorders of varying etiology. The imaging appearances on CT and MRI are recognizable as abnormalities of white matter; however, it may be impossible to arrive at the correct diagnosis based on imaging studies alone. Patients and methods. Three patients of varying age and clinical symptomatology diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) had remarkably similar MRI appearances. A “tigroid” or “leopard-skin” appearance was demonstrated within deep white matter in each case. Results. All of the patients had biochemical confirmation of MLD. Conclusion. Although the “tigroid” pattern previously was considered to be pathognomonic of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, the diagnosis of MLD must now be considered when these MRI appearances are encountered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 14 December 1998 Accepted: 11 March 1999

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Faerber, E., Melvin, J. & Smergel, E. MRI appearances of metachromatic leukodystrophy. Pediatric Radiology 29, 669–672 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002470050672

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002470050672

Keywords

Navigation