CT AND MRI IN PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY

Radiological findings and course of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in 14 patients (1 women, 13 men; 13 HIV seropositive, 1 chronic lymphatic leukaemia) were analysed retrospectively and correlated with clinical symptoms. A total of 21 CT and 16 MRI studies were evaluated. CT scans and MR images of 9 patients, which had been obtained in less than two weeks, could be compared to each other. MRI was superior to CT: 6 lesions with a diameter of 1 cm and below were not detected on CT scans, in 5 patients the extent of lesions was underestimated. Cortical involvement, mass effect or signs of atrophy were missing. Only 1 of 67 lesions showed a tiny enhancement after Gd injection. Due to the pattern and spread of lesions, which showed a close correlation to the neurologic symptoms, three different types of PML are suggested: 1. initial precentral demyelinisation with contralateral hemiparesis (n = 8); 2. lesions in temporo-occipital locations with visual disturbances (n = 2); 3. predominantly bilateral lesions of cerebellar white matter with ataxia (n = 4).