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Enhancement of multiple cranial and spinal nerves in vanishing white matter: expanding the differential diagnosis

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Abstract

Abnormal cranial or spinal nerve contrast enhancement on MRI in cases of suspected pediatric leukodystrophy is recognized as an important clue to the diagnosis of either metachromatic leukodystrophy or globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease). We report a case of genetically confirmed childhood vanishing white matter with enhancement of multiple cranial and spinal nerves in addition to the more typical intracranial findings. This case expands the limited differential diagnosis of cranial nerve or spinal nerve enhancement in cases of suspected leukodystrophy and may aid in more efficient work-up and earlier diagnosis of vanishing white matter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Medical Center, 1215 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA

    Thomas Jose Eluvathingal Muttikkal & Julie Ann Matsumoto

  2. Pediatric Neurology Division, Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Medical Center, 1221 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA

    Denia Ramirez Montealegre

Authors
  1. Thomas Jose Eluvathingal Muttikkal
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  2. Denia Ramirez Montealegre
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  3. Julie Ann Matsumoto
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Correspondence to Thomas Jose Eluvathingal Muttikkal.

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Eluvathingal Muttikkal, T.J., Montealegre, D.R. & Matsumoto, J.A. Enhancement of multiple cranial and spinal nerves in vanishing white matter: expanding the differential diagnosis. Pediatr Radiol 48, 437–442 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-3997-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-3997-4

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