Marchiafava–Bignami disease: magnetic resonance imaging findings in corpus callosum and subcortical white matter

Kawarabuki, Kentaro; Sakakibara, Takehiko; Hirai, Makoto; Yoshioka, Yuji; Yamamoto, Yasumasa; Yamaki, Tarumi

doi:10.1016/S0720-048X(02)00349-2

« Previous Next »European Journal of Radiology
Volume 48, Issue 2 , Pages 175-177, November 2003

Marchiafava–Bignami disease: magnetic resonance imaging findings in corpus callosum and subcortical white matter

Kentaro Kawarabuki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Kujo Hospital, Karahashi Rajomoncho 10, Minamiku, Kyoto 601-8453, Japan
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +81-75-691-7121; fax: +81-75-691-5311
Takehiko Sakakibara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Kujo Hospital, Karahashi Rajomoncho 10, Minamiku, Kyoto 601-8453, Japan
Makoto Hirai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Kujo Hospital, Karahashi Rajomoncho 10, Minamiku, Kyoto 601-8453, Japan
Yuji Yoshioka
- Department of Surgery, Kyoto Kujo Hospital, Karahashi Rajomoncho 10, Minamiku, Kyoto 601-8453, Japan
Yasumasa Yamamoto
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital, Kamanzadori Marutamachiagaru Haruobicho 355, Kamigyoku, Kyoto, Japan
Tarumi Yamaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Kujo Hospital, Karahashi Rajomoncho 10, Minamiku, Kyoto 601-8453, Japan

Received 29 July 2002; received in revised form 28 October 2002; accepted 29 October 2002.

Abstract

A case of Marchiafava–Bignami disease (MBD) is presented using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A patient with a long history of alcoholism developed a gait disturbance with involuntary movements at the lower extremities. MRI scans taken at the onset showed no particular abnormalities. He progressed to a coma 10 days later. MRI scans taken 20 days after the onset showed a focal lesion at the genu of the corpus callosum and he was diagnosed as having MBD. In addition, multiple lesions were observed in bilateral frontoparietal subcortical white matter. These lesions demonstrated similar intense MRI signals as the corpus callosum.

Keywords: Marchiafava–Bignami disease, Magnetic resonance imaging, White matter damage