Adult onset leukodystrophy manifested as spastic paraplegia
Chenhui Mao, Manqing Xie, Caiyan Liu, Jing Gao, Weimin Zhang, Feng Feng, Bin Peng, Liying Cui, Yupu Guo
Published 2015-09-08
Cite as Chin J Neurol, 2015, 48(9): 748-752. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1006-7876.2015.09.003
Abstract
ObjectiveTo characterize the clinical and imaging patterns of adult onset leukodystrophy manifested as spastic paraplegia for early diagnosis and treatment.
MethodsClinical and imaging data of 3 patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2013 to 2014 with adult onset leukodystrophy were reviewed retrospectively.
ResultsTwo Krabbe disease and one adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) patients all manifested as spastic paraplegia without cognitive impairment. The MRI patterns were bilateral symmetrical long T1 and long T2 signals only affecting cortical spinal tract areas. Subclinical peripheral neuropathy was detected by electrophysiology methods. No adrenal cortical insufficiency was found in AMN patient. On imaging, Krabbe disease mainly affected upper part of cortical spinal tract from motor cortex to internal capsule, and AMN affected lower part from internal capsule to pon and spinal cord.
ConclusionsAdult onset leukodystrophy can solely manifest as spastic paraplegia. We should take leukodystrophy into differential diagnosis of spastic paraplegia with unknown cause and test enzymes or genes for early diagnosis.
Key words:
Leukodystrophy, globoid cell; Adrenoleukodystrophy; Paraplegia
Contributor Information
Chenhui Mao
Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
Manqing Xie
Caiyan Liu
Jing Gao
Weimin Zhang
Feng Feng
Bin Peng
Liying Cui
Yupu Guo