Wilson’s disease: MRI features

Evidence-based neurology checklist on wilson’s disease: mri features: General MRI features The MRI is abnormal in about 90% of cases The lenticular nucleus is affected in 75% of cases The caudate nucleus and pons are affected in about 30% of cases Abnormalities are also present in the thalamus,…

General MRI features

  • The MRI is abnormal in about 90% of cases
  • The lenticular nucleus is affected in 75% of cases
  • The caudate nucleus and pons are affected in about 30% of cases
  • Abnormalities are also present in the thalamus, the cerebellum, and the hippocampus
  • The medulla oblongata may be exceptionally affected
  • There may be associated cerebral atrophy
  • Reversible diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) high intensity signal changes have been reported

The face of the giant panda sign

The double panda sign

The hyperintense globus pallidus rim sign

References

  1. Marsden CD. Wilson's disease. Q J Med 1987; 65: 959-966.
  2. Zhong W, Huang Z, Tang X. A study of brain MRI characteristics and clinical features in 76 cases of Wilson's disease. J Clin Neurosci 2019; 59:167-174.
  3. Poujois A, Guillonnet A, Woimant F. Exceptional involvement of medulla oblongata in Wilson disease. Neurology 2019; 92:770-771.
  4. Cai N, Lin J, Zhu J. Reversible diffusion-weighted imaging high intensity signal in Wilson disease. Neurology 2023; 100:437-438. 
  5. Parekh JR, Agrawal PR. Wilson's disease: 'face of giant panda' and 'trident' signs together. Oxf Med Case Reports 2014; 2014:16-17.
  6. And 4 more. Subscribe to see the full list

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