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Neuropediatrics 2015; 46(02): 104-109
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1544185
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Inferior Olivary Nucleus Involvement in Pediatric Neurodegenerative Disorders: Does It Play a Role in Neuroimaging Pattern-Recognition Approach?

Marisol Mirabelli-Badenier
1   Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
*   Marisol Mirabelli-Badenier and Giovanni Morana share first authorship.
,
Giovanni Morana
2   Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
*   Marisol Mirabelli-Badenier and Giovanni Morana share first authorship.
,
Claudio Bruno
3   Center of Myology and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Maja Di Rocco
4   Unit for Rare Disorders, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Pasaquale Striano
5   Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Eusa De Grandis
6   Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Edvige Veneselli
6   Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Andrea Rossi
2   Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Roberta Biancheri
1   Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

13 August 2014

14 December 2014

Publication Date:
16 February 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The diagnostic work up of neurometabolic/degenerative disorders is complex. In such context, identification of neuroradiological features suggestive of specific diagnoses is useful to prompt further diagnostic tests. Involvement of the inferior olivary nucleus (ION) has been reported in several pathologic conditions, either as a primary manifestation of disease or secondary to hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD). In this study, we analyzed a cohort of 95 children with different neurometabolic/degenerative diseases involving the brainstem and cerebellum, with the aim to evaluate whether ION involvement plays a role in a neuroimaging-based pattern-recognition approach. A total of 13 patients (13.7%) showed bilateral high-signal intensity and enlargement of the ION on T2-weighted images, while 16 (16.8%) had ION T2-hyperintensity without olivary nucleus enlargement. Our study demonstrates that ION involvement is not rare in children with neurometabolic/degenerative disorders. Two main neuroradiological patterns, that is, “T2-hyperintense signal” and “T2-hyperintense signal with enlargement” are found. These patterns can be related to different etiologies, and do not suggest specific diagnoses. Primary ION lesion can be characterized by olivary swelling, and the differentiation from typical secondary HOD may be difficult.

Keywords

inferior olivary nucleus - neurodegenerative disorders - magnetic resonance imaging - hypertrophic olivary degeneration
 

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