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Published on: January 12, 2019
Brain sonography insight into the midbrain in myotonic dystrophy type 2
Vidosava Rakocevic-Stojanovic1, Stojan Peric1, Dusanka Savic-Pavicevic2
1Neurology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 6, Dr Subotica Street, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
Introduction:
The aim of this study was to analyze transcranial sonography (TCS) findings in genetically confirmed myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) patients.
Methods:
Forty DM2 patients and 38 gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent TCS through the pre-auricular acoustic bone window.
Results:
Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity was found in 20% of DM2 patients compared with 3% of HCs. Brainstem raphe (BR) hypoechogenicity was more common in DM2 patients compared with HCs (56% vs. 10%, P < 0.01), and it was more common in patients with fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness (P < 0.05). Diameter of the third ventricle was increased in DM2 patients compared with HCs (5.8 ± 1.7 vs. 5.1 ± 1.0 mm, P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Finding BR hypoechogenicity might have clinical implication because of the potential response to serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. TCS revealed alterations in brain structures previously not seen in MRI studies.
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