Abstract
Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare disorder associated with brain iron accumulation. The brain MRI abnormality consists of Thypointensity in the globus pallidus with a small hyperintensity in its medial part, called the eye-of-the-tiger sign. We report on 2 patients affected by PKAN, in whom MRI examination did not demonstrate the eye-of-the-tiger sign in the early stages; the typical abnormalities were detected only in the following examinations. Case 1 is a 4-year-old boy first studied at age 2 years for psychomotor delay. The brain MRI was normal. In the following 2 years, the motor impairment progressed. The second brain MRI at age 4 years demonstrated the eye-of-the-tiger sign. Molecular analysis of the PANK2 gene revealed a missense mutation F228S in exon 2 in homozygosis. Case 2 is a 6-year-old boy first studied at age 2 years because of psychomotor delay. His brain MRI did not demonstrate abnormalities in the globus pallidus. In the following years spastic-dystonic tetraparesis became evident. A brain MRI at age 4 years demonstrated the eye-of-the-tiger sign. Molecular analysis of the PANK2 gene revealed a missense mutation in exon 5 (N501I). Our 2 cases demonstrate that the observation of a normal globus pallidus in the early stage of the disease does not exclude the diagnosis of classic PKAN.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 159-162 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Neuropediatrics |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- brain iron accumulation
- eye-of-the-tiger sign
- PKAN
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Clinical Neurology