The striated cerebellum: an MR imaging sign in Lhermitte-Duclos disease (dysplastic gangliocytoma)

Abstract

Purpose: To correlate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of and histologic findings in Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD) (dysplastic gangliocytoma).

Materials and methods: MR imaging and histologic data from eight patients with the diagnosis of LDD were retrospectively reviewed. Gross pathologic specimens were also available in one case. Contrast material-enhanced MR images were obtained in seven of the eight patients.

Results: At MR imaging, a non-enhancing mass in the cerebellar hemisphere was characterized by a striated pattern of hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and corresponding hypointensity on T1-weighted images, which represented the abnormally thickened folia. None of the masses demonstrated enhancement.

Conclusion: Most other cerebellar masses destroy the folial pattern and show enhancement. The nonenhancing striated MR appearance of thickened folia in patients with LDD is distinctive and should suggest this diagnosis.