Parkinsonism and dilatation of the perivascular spaces (état criblé) of the striatum: a clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathological study.

Two men, 89 and 83 years of age, presented with predominantly axial parkinsonian signs. In both cases, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed numerous small foci, delineating the striatum. The lesions had the same signal as cerebral spinal fluid in both T1 and T2 sequences. Postmortem examination of the brain showed numerous lacunes due to dilatation of the perivascular spaces, frequently associated with alterations of the surrounding brain parenchyma. Typical changes of Parkinson's disease were associated in one case. Such vascular changes may produce, or modify, a parkinsonian syndrome.