BRAIN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN PATIENTS WITH CLASSICAL AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND ITS ATYPICAL FORMS

Abstract

Five hundred and eight (508) patients (280 males and 228 females, at age from 28 till 78 years old) suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or atypical form of ALS have passed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from 2002 till 2012. We revealed classical form of ALS in 423 patients, primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) in 8 patients, progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) – in 65 patients and progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) – in 12 patients. MRI was performed at different stages of diseasefrom 1 till 7 years have passed since appearing of first symptoms. In 49 patients (9,7%) we revealed T2 hyperintensive lesions: 41 patients (9,7%) belonged to the group with classical ALS, 1 patient (12,5%) – to PLS group and 7 patients (10,8%) – to PBP group. In PMA group there were no patients with T2-weighted lesions. Hyperintensive lesions were revealed from cortex till brain stem in the regions connected to corticospinal track: in subcortical area of frontal lobe, centrum semiovale, corona radiata, internal capsule and in both cerebral peduncles. The hyperintensive lesions were located symmetrically, had roundish form with distinct contours without mass-effect. We did not reveal distinct correlation between MRI lesions and clinical form of ALS (classical and PBP), age of disease onset, symptoms duration and location of muscle weakness and atrophy. Brain MRI can be used for revealing morphological markers of corticospinal racts lesion in patients with ALS or its forms (PLS, PBP) at early stages of disease.