Diffuse magnetic resonance imaging white-matter changes in a 15-year-old boy with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy

J Child Neurol. 2002 Jan;17(1):47-9. doi: 10.1177/088307380201700112.

Abstract

We report a 15-year-old boy who presented with recurrent headaches associated with numbness, confusion, and speech difficulty. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed diffuse bilateral white-matter hyperintensity on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery and T2-weighted images in the internal capsule, periventricular and subcortical white matter, base of the pons, and middle cerebellar peduncles. Lesions were isointense on T1-weighted images and nonenhancing. Muscle biopsy showed changes consistent with a mitochondrial myopathy. Mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activity analysis revealed a significant reduction in complex II activity. Genetic testing was negative. We conclude that mitochondrial encephalomyopathy may present with unusual diffuse supratentorial and infratentorial white-matter changes on MRI.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electron Transport Complex II
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / diagnostic imaging
  • Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies / diagnosis*
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Electron Transport Complex II
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase