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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Whole-brain Segmentation and Change-point Analysis of Anatomical Brain MRI—Application in Premanifest Huntington's Disease
Published on: June 9, 2018
[Hypertrophic olivary degeneration. MR imaging findings and temporal evolution]
E Auffray-Calvier1, H A Desal, E Naudou-Giron
1Neuroradiologie Diagnostique et Interventionnelle, Hôpital G et R Laënnec, CHU Nantes.
Purpose:
to describe the magnetic resonance imaging features of hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) subsequent to lesion in the "Guillain-Mollaret triangle".
Materials And Methods:
15 cases of HOD were diagnosed at MR imaging in 12 patients (4 women and 8 men) with posterior fossa lesion. The time interval from the beginning of the disease to the MR examination was 3 weeks to 8 (1/2) years. Evaluation of the changes in signal intensity over time of the lesions was available in 6 patients.
Results:
Nine cases of HOD were unilateral and three were bilateral. HOD was associated to a lesion of the contralateral dentate nucleus in 8 cases, to a lesion of the ipsilateral central tegmental tract in 5 cases and to a lesion of the contralateral superior cerebellar peduncle in 2 cases. Hyperintensity and hypertrophy of the olive on proton density and T2-weighted images appeared as early as 3 weeks after the ictus. A curved central hyperintensity (CCH) could be observed 7 months after the initial presentation. Decrease in the signal intensity was observed after 3 (1/2) years and abnormal signal intensity could persist for up to 13 years. Palatal myoclonus at 5 months was associated with HOD in one case.
Conclusion:
HOD is considered a trans-synaptic degeneration subsequent to lesions in the Guillain-Mollaret triangle. Hyperintensity and hypertrophy of the olive are observed, sometimes with palatal myoclonus.
