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The pulvinar sign: frequency and clinical correlations in Fabry disease

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Abstract

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal deficiency of α-galactosidase A that results in cellular accumulation of galactoconjugates, mainly globotriaosylceramide, particularly in blood vessels. Neuroradiological findings include ischemic stroke, white matter lesions, vascular abnormalities (vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia and vessel tortuosity), and posterior thalamus involvement (the so called pulvinar sign). The purpose of our study was to investigate the presence of the increased pulvinar signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging – pulvinar sign and its relationship with other clinical findings, in a non-selected cohort of Fabry patients.

Methods

We performed a prospective analysis of two populations of patients (36 subjects) with Fabry disease. Patients were followed-up at the Department of Internal Medicine of the Bichat Hospital in Paris (France) and at the Neurological Clinic of the University Hospital of Padova (Italy). Brain MR studies of each patient included T1- and T2- weighted images, FLAIR sequences, and in some cases diffusion weighted images.

Results

A total of 36 patients (16 males, 20 females) were investigated in 14 families. The pulvinar sign was found in 5 male patients, but not in female patients. Seven patients had had at least one stroke (territorial or lacunar). There was no correlation between stroke and the pulvinar sign. All patients with the pulvinar sign had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Four patients out of five with the pulvinar sign were on dialysis or had a kidney transplantation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the pulvinar sign is a highly specific sign of Fabry disease, found in male patients with cardiac signs and severe kidney involvement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University Hospital of Padova, Italy

    A. P. Burlina MD, PhD

  2. Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Italy

    R. Manara & M. Severino MD

  3. Dept. of Genetics, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France

    C. Caillaud MD, PhD

  4. Dept. of Radiology, Bichat Hospital, Paris, France

    J.-P. Laissy MD, PhD & I. Klein MD, PhD

  5. Dept. of Paediatrics Inherited Metabolic Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Italy

    A. Burlina MD

  6. Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Bichat, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75877, Paris Cedex 18, France

    O. Lidove

Authors
  1. A. P. Burlina MD, PhD
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  2. R. Manara
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  3. C. Caillaud MD, PhD
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  4. J.-P. Laissy MD, PhD
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  5. M. Severino MD
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  6. I. Klein MD, PhD
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  7. A. Burlina MD
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  8. O. Lidove
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to O. Lidove.

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Burlina, A.P., Manara, R., Caillaud, C. et al. The pulvinar sign: frequency and clinical correlations in Fabry disease. J Neurol 255, 738–744 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0786-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0786-x

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