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

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.