[Neuroradiological studies of Wilson's disease by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging]

Three cases of Wilson's disease were imaged by computed tomography and magnetic resonance. They were characterized by common findings. CT scan showed atrophy of cerebral cortex, caudate head, midbrain and cerebellum, and areas of low absorption in the caudate head, putamen, globus pallidus, posterior limb of internal capsule, thalamus and midbrain. The T2-weighted MRI imaging demonstrated marked hyperintensity in the putamen, retrolenticular part of internal capsule, thalamus and midbrain. In 2 patients, these high intensity areas were decreased by chelating therapy. Improvement of the increased intensity on T2-weighted images led to the suggestion that the area of marked hyperintensity area might be edema or demyelination rather than neuronal loss or cavitation.