CADASIL: Imaging Characteristics and Clinical Correlation

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene located on chromosome 19p13. CADASIL causes a clinical syndrome of migraines (frequently with aura), progressive strokes, and cognitive decline in adults leading to severe functional impairment by the seventh decade of life. Genetic testing is the gold standard for diagnosing this condition, but the syndrome can be suspected clinically based on history and a characteristic pattern of confluent subcortical white matter disease in the anterior temporal poles and external capsule. Additional abnormalities include cerebral microbleeds and large vessel stenosis, particularly in Asian populations. Familiarity with radiologic findings in CADASIL is essential to the correct diagnosis and subsequent management of this disease.