Degenerative brain diseases and neuroimaging in children

ABSTRACT

The degenerative brain diseases represent one of the most common problems in paediatric neurology. Findings of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in 39 children with progressive neurological disorders were evaluated. Twenty five patients were boys and 14 girls. The ages ranged from 10 weeks to 12 years [mean 6.5 years]. Children had either CT scan [34 cases] or MRI brain [5 cases]. Thirty [77%] of CT [27 cases] and MR[[3 cases] were abnormal, and abnormalities included demyelination, cortical atrophy, calcification, hypo/hyperdense areas and cerebellar atrophy. MR[or CT scan brain, whenever possible, should be part of evaluation of a child who is suspected of having a neurodegenerative disorder in order to strengthen on diagnosis