[Cerebral magnetic resonance in Wilson's disease]

The authors describe the typical and atypical MR findings of brain abnormalities in Wilson's disease in three patients affected with severe neurologic disturbances; a low-field MR unit was used. Radiologic findings included atrophic changes and focal lesions. Two patients had basal ganglia, brain stem and dentate alterations; lesions in the corpus callosum (a site not yet described in Wilson's disease) were seen. The third case had putaminal lesions which improved after penicillamine therapy. Cerebral abnormalities were demonstrated as areas of increased signal on T2-weighted images; T1 and T2 shortening due to magnetic susceptibility phenomena was not seen. Two major MR features were observed: high hyperintensity and peripheral location of putaminal lesions and sparing of the medial thalami in diffuse basal ganglia involvement.