Wilson’s disease: MRI features
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Wilson’s disease: MRI features. The MRI is abnormal in about 90% of cases. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
General MRI features
- The MRI is abnormal in about 90% of cases
- The lenticular nucleus is affected in 75% of cases
- The caudate nucleus and pons are affected in about 30% of cases
- Abnormalities are also present in the thalamus, the cerebellum, and the hippocampus
- The medulla oblongata may be exceptionally affected
- There may be associated cerebral atrophy
- Reversible diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) high intensity signal changes have been reported
The face of the giant panda sign
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
The double panda sign
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
The hyperintense globus pallidus rim sign
Locked: subscribe to see this section.
References
- Marsden CD. Wilson's disease. Q J Med 1987; 65: 959-966.
- Zhong W, Huang Z, Tang X. A study of brain MRI characteristics and clinical features in 76 cases of Wilson's disease. J Clin Neurosci 2019; 59:167-174.
- Poujois A, Guillonnet A, Woimant F. Exceptional involvement of medulla oblongata in Wilson disease. Neurology 2019; 92:770-771.
- Cai N, Lin J, Zhu J. Reversible diffusion-weighted imaging high intensity signal in Wilson disease. Neurology 2023; 100:437-438.
- Parekh JR, Agrawal PR. Wilson's disease: 'face of giant panda' and 'trident' signs together. Oxf Med Case Reports 2014; 2014:16-17.
- And 4 more. Subscribe to see the full list
