Wilson's disease: resolution of MRI lesions following long-term oral zinc therapy.

A 28-year-old man with Wilson's disease developed neurological deterioration after a low-dose of d-penicillamine treatment for 2 weeks. He showed an akinetic rigid syndrome with generalized dystonia. Brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) on T2 and proton weighted images showed an increased signal intensity over the thalamus, basal ganglia and brainstem, especially the midbrain and pons. After treatment had been changed to zinc sulphate, the akinetic-rigid syndrome and dystonia were improved slowly in the following 4 years. Serial MRI studies showed a gradual resolution of the lesions. His current neurological status was almost normal except for dysarthria and mild intention tremor.