T2-weighted high-intensity signals in the basal ganglia as an interesting image finding in Unverricht-Lundborg disease

Epilepsy Res. 2010 Jan;88(1):87-91. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2009.09.018. Epub 2009 Nov 6.

Abstract

We conducted a search for white matter changes (WMCs) in 13 Unverricht-Lundborg disease patients and compared the prevalence of WMCs in these patients to age-matched long-term epileptics and healthy controls. ULD patients had significantly more T2-weighted high-intensity signals on MRI than control subjects, due to the increased prevalence of these signals in the basal ganglia. Interestingly, ULD patients with the basal ganglia changes were overweight. Basal ganglia T2-weighted high-intensity signals are novel findings in ULD.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Basal Ganglia / drug effects
  • Basal Ganglia / pathology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Brain Mapping
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome / pathology*
  • Valproic Acid / pharmacology
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Valproic Acid