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  • Title: MRI in methotrexate-related leukoencephalopathy: Disseminated necrotising leukoencephalopathy in comparison with mild leukoencephalopathy.
    Author: Oka M, Terae S, Kobayashi R, Sawamura Y, Kudoh K, Tha KK, Yoshida M, Kaneda M, Suzuki Y, Miyasaka K.
    Journal: Neuroradiology; 2003 Jul; 45(7):493-7. PubMed ID: 12761601.
    Abstract:
    We report two fatal cases of methotrexate (MTX)-induced disseminated necrotising leukoencephalopathy (DNL) in which MRI was repeated from the onset. Initial T2-weighted images showed multiple areas of high signal, mainly in deep cerebral white matter, which on follow-up, spread and coalesced to involve the entire white matter. Small irregular low-signal foci on T2-weighted images were seen within the high-signal lesions. Multiple areas of contrast enhancement corresponded to these low-signal foci. The condition of both patients deteriorated and they died. We compared their MRI findings with those of seven patients with mild MTX-related leukoencephalopathy, six of whom were asymptomatic; one had transient neurological symptoms. They showed no contrast enhancement, but rather mild-to-moderate diffuse high signal in deep white matter, which later disappeared. These findings suggest that multiple low-signal foci on T2-weighted images with contrast enhancement may be characteristic of DNL, and that contrast-enhanced imaging is useful to differentiate this condition from mild leukoencephalopathy.
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