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Vanishing white matter disease

Case contributed by Mostafa Elfeky
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Chronic progressive neurological symptoms with ataxia and spasticity.

Patient Data

Age: 5 years
Gender: Female

MRI brain

mri

Confluent T2 hyperintense abnormality with near CSF intensity involving the deep white matter showing suppression on FLAIR with partial involvement of the subcortical U-fibers. The distribution of the disease involves both anterior and posterior white matter with no preferential predominance. The posterior limbs of both internal capsules are affected with typical sparing of the anterior limbs. The external capsules are spared. The corpus callsoum is diffusely involved typically sparing its outer rim. Minor peri-ventricular rim of enhancement seen. No blooming on SWI. Small foci of restriction on DWI with low ADC seen at the outer peri-ventricular white matter.

Case Discussion

Vanishing white matter disease appears in MRI as diffuse symmetrical and progressive involvement of cerebral white matter with cystic changes, following CSF signal. Low signal intensity on T1W and high signal intensity on T2W sequences. Flair sequence shows white matter high signal intensity with patchy areas of low CSF signal intensity. T1W and Flair sequences demonstrate a radiating appearance of the fine network of remaining white matter strands best appreciated on the sagittal and the coronal views. Basal ganglia are spared. The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical and MRI appearances.

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