Olivopontocerebellar atrophy: MR diagnosis and relationship to multisystem atrophy.
Publication/Presentation Date
3-1-1990
Abstract
Clinical diagnosis of olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) must be confirmed by radiologic demonstration of atrophy in an appropriate distribution. OPCA may be associated with degeneration of other systems in multisystem atrophy (MSA). The authors report 23 cases of OPCA, eight of which were associated with MSA. Atrophy involved the cerebellum, pons, and middle cerebellar peduncles in all cases. On intermediate and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images, abnormal signal intensity was always observed in the transverse pontine fibers, middle cerebellar peduncles, and cerebellum, structures known from pathologic study to degenerate in OPCA. Pyramidal tracts and superior cerebellar peduncles stood out because of their normal signal intensity. Of the eight patients with MSA, four also had variable abnormal signal intensities in the putamen. The authors believe that the combination of atrophy and abnormal signal intensity in the appropriate distribution strongly supports the diagnosis of OPCA. In some cases, MR imaging may demonstrate involvement of different systems, thus confirming the diagnosis of MSA.
Volume
174
Issue
3 Pt 1
First Page
693
Last Page
696
ISSN
0033-8419
Published In/Presented At
Savoiardo, M., Strada, L., Girotti, F., Zimmerman, R. A., Grisoli, M., Testa, D., & Petrillo, R. (1990). Olivopontocerebellar atrophy: MR diagnosis and relationship to multisystem atrophy. Radiology, 174(3 Pt 1), 693–696. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.174.3.2305051
Disciplines
Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology
PubMedID
2305051
Department(s)
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Imaging
Document Type
Article