Magnetic resonance imaging in HTLV-I associated myelopathy Ressonância magnética na mielopatia associada ao HTLV-I

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord were carried out for seventeen consecutive patients with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (HAM). Eight patients had brain abnormalities and four had decreased thoracic spinal cord diameter. Brain lesions were mostly located in subcortical and periventricular areas. Our data suggest that diffuse central nervous system lesions are present in patients with HAM.Foram realizados exames de ressonância magnética do crânio e coluna em 17 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial de mielopatia por HTLV-1 (HAM). Em oito pacientes havia anormalidades cerebrais caracterizadas por lesões subcorticais e periventriculares. Quatro pacientes apresentavam diminuição acentuada do diâmetro da medula espinal torácica. Nossos dados sugerem ser a HAM uma patologia multifocal que envolve todo o sistema nervoso central.

Keywords

• HTLV-1
• mielopatia
• leucoencefalopatia
• ressonância magnética
• HTLV-1
• myelopathy
• leukoencephalopathy
• MRI