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Magnetic resonance imaging compared with computed tomography in adrenoleukodystrophy.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive than computed tomography (CT) for detecting adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) changes. Combined with very-long-chain fatty acid analysis, MRI aids in screening siblings for this genetic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare genetic disorder affecting the adrenal glands and white matter of the brain.
- Early diagnosis and monitoring are crucial for managing ALD progression and potential complications.
Observation:
- Two siblings diagnosed with ALD underwent both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans.
- Imaging results showed MRI was more sensitive than CT in detecting demyelinating changes, especially in milder cases.
Findings:
- MRI demonstrated unequivocally abnormal findings in both siblings, whereas CT scans showed milder abnormalities in one case.
- Analysis of very-long-chain fatty acids in skin fibroblasts confirmed the ALD diagnosis in both individuals.
Implications:
- MRI appears to be a more sensitive imaging modality than CT for evaluating the acute demyelinating changes associated with ALD.
- The combination of MRI and very-long-chain fatty acid analysis is recommended for screening unaffected or mildly affected siblings of ALD patients.