Correlation between antemortem magnetic resonance imaging findings and pathologically confirmed corticobasal degeneration.

BACKGROUND

Slowly progressive asymmetric parkinsonism and cortical dysfunction clinically characterize corticobasal syndrome (CBS). Various pathologic findings, including corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal degenerations, underlie CBS.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if regional cortical and corpus callosum atrophy and subcortical and periventricular white matter (SPWM) signal changes on head magnetic resonance imaging were specific to CBD.

DESIGN

Historical review of autopsy cases.

SETTING

Subspecialized behavioral neurology and movement disorder clinics within a neurology department of a tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Seventeen patients with CBS who had an autopsy-confirmed diagnosis of CBD or another neurodegenerative disease.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Regional cerebral cortical atrophy, regional corpus callosum atrophy, and SPWM signal changes.

RESULTS

Similar patterns of regional atrophy and SPWM signal changes were found in the patients with autopsy-proven CBD and in the patients with other neurodegenerative diseases.

CONCLUSION

Neither cortical nor corpus callosum atrophy nor SPWM signal changes on head magnetic resonance imaging are specific to CBD.