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Progressive cavitating leukoencephalopathy: A novel childhood disease
Author(s) -
Naidu SakkuBai,
Bibat Genila,
Lin Doris,
Burger Peter,
Barker Peter,
Rosemberg Sergio,
Braverman Nancy,
Arroyo Hugo,
Dowling Michael,
Hamosh Ada,
Kimonis Virginia,
Blank Carol,
Fiumara Agata,
Facchini Sergio,
Singhal Bhim,
Moser Hugo,
Kelley Richard,
DiMauro Salvatore
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.20671
Subject(s) - leukoencephalopathy , medicine , pathology , magnetic resonance imaging , corpus callosum , pathological , disease , radiology
We report 19 patients with a previously undelineated neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by episodic acute onset of irritability or neurological deficits between 2 months and 3.5 years of age, followed by steady or intermittent clinical deterioration. Seven children died between 11 months and 14 years of age. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows patchy leukoencephalopathy with cavities, and vascular permeability, in actively affected regions. Early lesions affect corpus callosum and centrum semiovale, with or without cerebellar or cord involvement. After repeated episodes, areas of tissue loss coalesce with older lesions to become larger cystic regions in brain or spinal cord. Diffuse spasticity, dementia, vegetative state, or death ensues. Gray matter is spared until late in the course. In some, incomplete clinical or MRI recovery occurs after episodes. The clinical course varies from rapid deterioration to prolonged periods of stability that are unpredictable by clinical or MRI changes. Elevated levels of lactate in brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid, abnormal urine organic acids, and changes in muscle respiratory chain enzymes are present but inconsistent, without identifiable mitochondrial DNA mutations or deletions. Pathological studies show severe loss of myelin sparing U‐fibers, axonal disruption, and cavitary lesions without inflammation. Familial occurrence and consanguinity suggest autosomal recessive inheritance of this distinct entity. Ann Neurol 2005;58:929–938