PET,MRI and pathologic characteristics of heroin spongiform leukoencephalopathy / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To summarize PET?MRI and pathologic characteristics of heroin spongiform leukoencephalopathy(HSLE). Methods Clinically, 28 cases underwent CT and MRI analysis,in which 2 cases had brain autopsies and 8 cases had brain biopsies. HE, GFAP, Loyez and Congo Red staining were made and observation done through electronic microscope. 4 cases underwent PET analysis. Results The PET, MRI and pathologic characteristics of HSLE showed (1) Spongiform vacuoles degeneration of white matter was pathologically the main morphological change. (2) All the 28 cases had a history of inhalation of heated heroin vapor and abstained from durg. (3) Most cases were described with acute onset characterized by cerebellar signs. (4) PET shows the cortex of the parietal lobe, occipital lobe and cerebellum became thin in 4 cases, while the cerebral white matter had enlarged. (5) Brain CT and MRI revealed extensive symmetric white matter lesions in cerebra and cerebellum. Conclusions Brain CT and MRI revealed extensive symmetric white matter lesions in cerebra and cerebellum. PET has more advantage in judging progress of patient's condition and therapeutic effecacy than MRI. Spongiform vacuoles degeneration of white matter was the main pathological change.