The results of NMR imaging in 8 cases of spinocerebellar degenerative diseases (age 4 to 19 years) are presented. In Friedreich ataxia (5 cases), spinal atrophy was constant and often severe, and was associated with a moderate cerebellar and/or bulbar atrophy in 3 cases. In hereditary spastic paraplegia, the only finding was a mild spinal atrophy in 2 of the 3 cases.