Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in Hurler's disease

Computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain in five patients with Hurler's disease are described and compared to the few available reports in the literature. Computed tomographic scans revealed low attenuation areas in the centrum semiovale and peritrigonal white matter. Ventriculomegaly was not a prominent feature in our patients, compared to those previously reported. In two patients, CT were normal. The most prominent magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were the presence of radially oriented cystic areas in the centrum semiovale, peritrigonal white matter, corpus callosum, and pericallosal region. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were present in all patients, even when CT scans were normal. Abnormalities on CT and MRI scans tended to be more prevalent in the posterior regions. Magnetic resonance imaging proved to be a more reliable imaging method in Hurler's disease. T1-weighted images delineated the cystic areas more clearly, whereas T2-weighted images were more sensitive in detecting small white-matter abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities correlated well with known neuropathologic alteration in this disease. It is suggested that the cystic areas seen on MRI correspond to perivascular lacunae seen in histopathologic material.