Neuroimaging findings in Griscelli syndrome type 2 with primary neurological presentation

Abstract

We report the radiologic findings in two children with Griscelli syndrome who presented mainly with neurologic findings. Both children were born to consanguineous parents, had normal birth and developmental histories; both had silvery gray hair from the time of birth. The first child presented with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and cerebellar ataxia; the second child with cerebellar ataxia alone. Microscopic examination of the hair in both the children demonstrated the characteristic melanin clumps suggestive of Griscelli syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in the first child demonstrated multifocal white matter hyperintensities in the cerebrum and diffuse white matter hyperintensities in the cerebellum, with intense contrast enhancement. In the second child, signal changes were confined to the cerebellum and spinal cord. The first child succumbed to rapidly progressive increased intra-cranial pressure; partial autopsy revealed necrotizing lesions involving the cerebellar hemispheres bilaterally which corresponded to the neuroimaging abnormalities. Histology revealed diffuse histiocytic infiltration of the parenchyma. Griscelli syndrome type 2 should be a diagnostic consideration in a child with silvery hair, neurological deterioration and enhancing multifocal white matter signal intensity changes

Keywords

Griscelli syndrome - silvery hair - cerebellar leukoencephalopathy - melanin clumps