Van der knaap disease

ABSTRACT

Van der Knaap disease or megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts [MLC] is a rare, inherited, autosomal recessive disorder. It is characterised by macrocephaly and slowly progressive ataxia, spasticity, and cognitive decline. The usual age of onset is described from birth to infancy. MLC predominantly occurs in some ethnicities where consanguinity is common. This disease is caused by mutations in the gene, which encodes a novel protein, MLC1. The characteristic MRI findings include leukodystrophy and subcortical cysts that yield diagnostic clue in most of the cases. The diagnosis can be established prenatally and genetic counseling is usually offered for future pregnancies. Herein, we chronicle a case of Van der Knaap disease from Pakistan with the classical MRI features