Multiple cerebral white matter lesions following head trauma with eyeball contusion]

We reported a 36-year-old man with multiple cerebral white matter lesions following head trauma with eyeball contusion. He had suffered from optic neuritis on non-injured side after one and half months from the head trauma. Brain MRI revealed multiple cerebral white matter lesions and lumbar puncture disclosed an elevated level of protein of the cerebrospinal fluid after two and half months from the head trauma. He was treated with steroid pulse therapy and resulted in an improvement of his visual acuity and a remarkable decrease of multiple cerebral white matter lesions. There has been a controversy concerning the causal relationship between trauma and multiple sclerosis (MS). In this case, MS-like multiple cerebral white matter lesions are considered to be relevant to the head trauma.     

Hypoglycemic encephalopathy with extensive lesions in the cerebral white matter

Here we report an autopsy case of hypoglycemic encephalopathy with prolonged coma. Laboratory data obtained when the patient lapsed into a coma showed that she had a low level of serum glucose (27 mg/dL). Although the level of glucose returned to within the normal range rapidly after glucose infusion, the patient remained in a coma for 22 months. It was presumed that the state of hypoglycemia persisted for about 4 h. There was no evidence of hypotension or hypoxia. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 3 h after glucose administration; diffusion‐weighted images revealed hyperintensity in the cerebral white matter and in the boundary zone between the middle and posterior cerebral arteries. Post‐mortem examination revealed superficial laminar necrosis throughout the cerebral cortex. Neuronal necrosis was also found in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, although the CA3 region appeared normal. In addition to these lesions, which are consistent with hypoglycemia‐induced brain damage, the cerebral white matter exhibited severe loss of myelin and axons with reactive astrocytosis and macrophage infiltration. Old infarcts were also present in the bilateral occipital lobes. Since the cerebral blood flow is reported to be decreased during severe hypoglycemia, the present findings suggest that white matter lesions and boundary‐zone infarctions may develop primarily in uncomplicated hypoglycemia.     

偏头痛患者脑白质损害的MRI特征

目的探讨偏头痛患者脑白质损害的MRI特征。方法对80例偏头痛患者(偏头痛组)及80例健康体检者(对照组)进行MRI检查。对结果进行比较分析。结果 MRI检查显示偏头痛组中有42例脑白质损害,表现为皮质下脑白质内等T1、长T2信号影,T2Flair高信号;对照组中有9例脑白质损害。偏头痛组脑白质损害的比例(52.5%)明显高于对照组(11.3%)(χ2=31.34,P0.01)。偏头痛组中有先兆偏头痛患者脑白质损害的比例(68.6%,24/35)明显高于无先兆偏头痛患者(40.0%,18/45)(χ2=15.58,P0.01)。结论偏头痛患者脑白质损害的MRI表现与其它原因引起的脑白质病变类似。偏头痛患者脑白质损害的发生率较高,且有先兆偏头痛者较无先兆偏头痛者更高。     

Magnetization transfer ratio in cerebral white matter lesions of Binswanger's disease.

We measured the magnetization transfer (MT) ratios in white matter lesions of Binswanger's disease (BD) and compared them with BD and with similar-appearing changes in non-demented elderly subjects and cerebral infarction. Four subject groups were studied: 30 patients with BD and periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) on MRI, 29 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular event with PVH but no dementia, 17 patients with old cerebral infarction, and 26 elderly control subjects. MT ratios were calculated for areas of PVH in BD and non-demented subjects, of infarction, and of normal-appearing white matter in controls. The decrease in MT ratios for areas in PVH of non-demented subjects and BD and in infarction compared with normal white matter in controls was 12, 20, and 35%, respectively. The MT ratio in PVH of BD was significantly lower than that in PVH of non-demented subjects, but not to the levels seen in areas of infarction. There was a significant high correlation between the Mini-Mental State Examination score and MT ratio for area of PVH (r = 0.790). MT ratio distinguishes PVH in BD patients from those in non-demented subjects, suggesting underlying histopathological differences. Tissue damage in white matter lesions of BD may be more severe than that in non-demented subjects, but not as much as with complete infarction.     

Cerebral white matter lesions and depressive symptoms in elderly adults

BACKGROUND: There is evidence for a vascular cause of late-life depression. Cerebral white matter lesions are thought to represent vascular abnormalities. White matter lesions have been related to affective disorders and a history of late-onset depression in psychiatric patients. Their relation with mood disturbances in the general population is not known. We investigated the relation between white matter lesions and the presence of depressive symptoms or a history of depression in a population-based study. METHODS: In a sample of 1077 nondemented elderly adults, we assessed the presence and severity of subcortical and periventricular white matter lesions using magnetic resonance imaging, presence of depressive symptoms, and history of depression. Using multiple regression analysis, we examined the relation among white matter lesions, depressive symptoms, and history of depression. RESULTS: Most of the subjects had white matter lesions. Persons with severe white matter lesions (upper quintile) were 3 to 5 times more likely to have depressive symptoms as compared with persons with only mild or no white matter lesions (lowest quintile) (periventricular odds ratio [OR] = 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-9.5; subcortical OR = 5.4; 95% CI, 1.8-16.5). In addition, persons with severe subcortical but not periventricular white matter lesions were more likely to have had a history of depression with an onset after age 60 years (OR = 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1-10.7) compared with persons with only mild or no white matter lesions. CONCLUSION: The severity of subcortical white matter lesions is related to the presence of depressive symptoms and to a history of late-onset depression.     

A case of subdural empyema with transient cerebral white matter lesions

We reported a fourteen years old male with subdural empyema followed by consecutive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. He was admitted to our hospital, complaining incomplete paresis of the left upper extremities, headache and high fever. The first MRI T2-weighted image at admission revealed an abnormal high intensity in the right frontal subdural space, indicating an abscess. Antibiotics therapy and a burr hole operation were effective and he made a remarkable recovery. One month later, the third MRI T2-weighted image showed an abnormal high intensity in the deep white matter of the right frontal lobe, which had not been detected in the subsequent MRI after the operation. On the other hand, the meningeal enhancement on the second Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI was more thickened than the previous meningeal enhancement. This abnormal high intensity on MRI had disappeared two month later, when the meningeal enhancement had grown thin. These data suggested the meningeal enhancement was relative to the transient high intensity which was considered to represent brain edema. We concluded that careful observation and serial MRI examination might be necessary in patient with subdural empyema even after disappearance of all symptoms.     

Extent of altered white matter in unilateral and bilateral periventricular white matter lesions in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

AimsTo investigate the extent of white matter damage in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) caused by periventricular white matter lesions comparing between unilateral and bilateral lesions; and to investigate a relationship between white matter microstructure and hand function.Methods and proceduresDiffusion MRI images from 46 children with UCP and 18 children with typical development (CTD) were included. Subjects were grouped by side of hemiparesis and unilateral or bilateral lesions. A voxel-wise white matter analysis was performed to identify regions where fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly different between UCP groups and CTD; and where FA correlated with either dominant or impaired hand function (using Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test).Outcomes and resultsChildren with unilateral lesions had reduced FA in the corticospinal tract of the affected hemisphere. Children with bilateral lesions had widespread reduced FA extending into all lobes. In children with left hemiparesis, impaired hand function correlated with FA in the contralateral corticospinal tract. Dominant hand function correlated with FA in the posterior thalamic radiations as well as multiple other regions in both left and right hemiparesis groups.Conclusions and implicationsPeriventricular white matter lesions consist of focal and diffuse components. Focal lesions may cause direct motor fibre insult resulting in motor impairment. Diffuse white matter injury is heterogeneous, and may contribute to more global dysfunction.What this paper adds

• ⿢Focal white matter alterations are observed in the corticospinal tract in UCP with unilateral white matter lesions
• ⿢Diffuse white matter alterations throughout all cerebral lobes are observed in UCP with bilateral white matter lesions
• ⿢Fractional anisotropy in the posterior thalamic radiations correlates with dominant hand function

     

脑白质损害的认知功能研究

目的 :观察脑白质损害 (WML )与事件相关电位 P30 0变化关系 ,探讨 WML在认知功能降低中的作用。方法 :35例经 MRI证实的 WML ,进行影像学、简易智能状态检测 (MMSE)和事件相关电位 P30 0测定 ,依据 WML体积将其分为轻度 (<5 cm3)、中度 (5～ 15 cm3)和重度 (>15 cm3) ,并对 WML与 P30 0潜伏期变化进行相关分析。结果 :轻度 WML 11例 ,中度 17例 ,重度 7例 ,主要表现为 T2和质子密度加权像上高信号 ,分布在脑室周围、半卵园中心及皮层下白质。轻度及中度 WML时 MMSE测定值无降低 ,重度 WML时 MMSE也只降低为 2 6 .9。随 WML的程度加重 ,P30 0潜伏期延长越明显 ,相关分析提示两者具有正相关。结论 :观察老年性 WML主要依靠 T2像或质子密度加权像。MMSE在反应 WML导致的认知功能障碍时不够敏感。 WML能引起事件相关电位 P30 0延长 ,其损害程度与 P30 0潜伏期变化呈正相关。     

Clinical significance of brain white matter hyperintensities in young adults with psychiatric illness

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed images of brain anatomy, with especially clear definition of gray and white matter structures. Several brain MRI studies have suggested that adults with bipolar disorder (BD) are more likely to have "white matter hyperintensities" (WMH) than adults without BD. The disproportionately greater frequency of these lesions in otherwise physically healthy patients suggests that the illness itself, or treatments used to control the illness, may be risk factors for the development of white matter changes. Similarly, WMH may be an etiological factor for some types of BD. In addition to reviewing the relevant literature, this research study attempted to determine whether lithium treatment is associated with an increased prevalence of WMH in young adults with psychiatric illness. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated over 600 brain MRI scans from inpatients at McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts. We controlled for possible confounding variables such as age, vascular disease, substance abuse, and markers of illness severity. We found that individuals with BD were no more likely to have WMH than other psychiatric patients. Lithium use was nonsignificantly associated with the presence of WMH. A multivariate regression model for the presence of WMH showed that heart disease, female gender, and multiple psychiatric admissions were significant predictors of WMH. This study does not support previous findings that BD, compared to other psychiatric illnesses, was associated with increased risk of WMH. Lithium use may be subtly associated with WMH. Our results are consistent with previous research that found an association between cardiovascular disease, advanced age, and the presence of WMH, though our analysis appears to be unique in its inclusion of cardiovascular disease as a risk factor in young adults with psychiatric illness.     

急性脑梗死患者脑白质病变因素风险评估

目的探讨脑白质病变对急性脑梗死患者预后的影响。方法选择驻马店市中心医院收治的282例急性脑梗死患者,根据MRI检查结果分为脑白质病变组(115例)和无脑白质病变组(167例),对2组临床资料(性别、年龄、糖尿病、高血压、房颤、高血脂)情况进行统计,同时对全部患者随访90d,评价患者的预后情况。结果脑白质病变组和无脑白质病变组男女比例及平均年龄差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。而脑白质病变组糖尿病、高血压、房颤、高血脂的发生率及预后不良率、病死率显著高于无脑白质病变组(P0.01)。结论急性脑梗死患者若在影像学检查中发现脑白质病变,需对相关危险因素进行积极干预,可有效改善预后,降低病死率。     

腔隙性脑梗死脑白质病变与脑微出血的相关性研究

目的探讨腔隙性脑梗死(LI)患者脑白质病变(WML)表现与脑微出血(CMBs)的关系。方法回顾性分析我院129例LI患者临床资料,根据CMBs病情程度将患者分为无出血组(n=20)、轻度组(n=60)、中度组(n=37)及重度组(n=12)。比较不同分组患者一般资料和实验室检测指标水平,分析CMBs与脑白质病变量表评分(WMLs)的相关性,采用Logistic多因素分析法分析LI患者WML和CMBs合并发病的相关因素。结果不同CMBs病情程度患者年龄和高血压合并症发生情况比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。不同CMBs病情程度患者血清HDL-C、LDL-C、hs-CRP、Hcy、CIMT及颈动脉斑块积分水平比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic多因素回归分析显示,年龄、高血压、HDL-C、Hcy及CIMT是影响LI患者WML与CMBs合并发病的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论LI患者WML严重程度与CMBs病变程度呈正相关,年龄增长、高血压史、低水平HDL-C、高水平Hcy及CIMT增加是影响LI患者WML与CMBs合并发病的独立危险因素。     

腔隙性脑梗死脑白质病变与脑微出血的相关性研究

目的探讨腔隙性脑梗死(LI)患者脑白质病变(WML)表现与脑微出血(CMBs)的关系。方法回顾性分析我院129例LI患者临床资料,根据CMBs病情程度将患者分为无出血组(n=20)、轻度组(n=60)、中度组(n=37)及重度组(n=12)。比较不同分组患者一般资料和实验室检测指标水平,分析CMBs与脑白质病变量表评分(WMLs)的相关性,采用Logistic多因素分析法分析LI患者WML和CMBs合并发病的相关因素。结果不同CMBs病情程度患者年龄和高血压合并症发生情况比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。不同CMBs病情程度患者血清HDL-C、LDL-C、hs-CRP、Hcy、CIMT及颈动脉斑块积分水平比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic多因素回归分析显示,年龄、高血压、HDL-C、Hcy及CIMT是影响LI患者WML与CMBs合并发病的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论LI患者WML严重程度与CMBs病变程度呈正相关,年龄增长、高血压史、低水平HDL-C、高水平Hcy及CIMT增加是影响LI患者WML与CMBs合并发病的独立危险因素。     

Periventricular cerebral white matter lesions predict rate of cognitive decline

The prospect of declining cognitive functions is a major fear for many elderly persons. Cerebral white matter lesions, as commonly found with magnetic resonance imaging, have been associated with cognitive dysfunction in cross-sectional studies. Only a few longitudinal studies using small cohorts confirmed these findings. We examined the relation between severity of white matter lesions and cognitive decline over a nearly 10-year period in 563 elderly subjects sampled from the general nondemented Dutch population. Severity of white matter lesions was scored for periventricular and subcortical regions separately using an extensive semiquantitative scale. Cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination at regular time intervals during 1990 to 2000, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were made in 1995 to 1996. More severe white matter lesions were associated with more rapid cognitive decline over a mean follow-up period of 7.3 years (standard deviation, 1.5). After adjusting for age, gender, educational level, measures of depression, and brain atrophy and infarcts, subjects with severe periventricular white matter lesions experienced cognitive decline nearly three times as fast (0.28 Mini-Mental State Examination points/year [95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.36]) as the average (0.10 points/year [95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.11]). There was no independent relationship between severity of subcortical white matter lesions and rate of cognitive decline.