Computed tomography (CT) in late infantile metachromatic leucodystrophy

Computed tomographic features of 7 cases of the late infantile form of MLD confirmed by sural nerve biopsy are presented. Diffuse symmetrical white matter, low attenuation of the cerebral parenchyma was the common feature. Hypodensity of the temporal lobes and the cerebellar hemispheres are 2 features which have not been reported earlier. Three patients had brainstem atrophy without evidence of cerebral atrophy. Awareness of the various CT features of MLD may help in more definitive radiological diagnosis of the disease and to differentiate it from other dysmyelinating diseases of the central nervous system.