Dilated Virchow-Robin spaces in myotonic dystrophy: Frequency, extent and significance

To study the frequency, extent and significance of dilated Virchow-Robin sp aces (VRSs) in dystrophia myotonica (DM), we evaluated the cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 41 patients with the adult form of DM and 41 he althy controls. Dilated VRSs and white matter lesions (WMLs) were rated acc ording to semiquantitative methods. Convexity VRSs were more frequent (68 v s. 34%; p < 0.01) and severer (median scores: 4 vs. 0; p < 0.01) in DM pati ents than in controls, while lenticulostriate VRSs did not show significant differences in frequency (83 vs. 70%; p > 0.05) and severity (median score s: 4 vs. 3; p > 0.05). WMLs were more frequent (66 vs. 22%; p < 0.01) and s everer (median scores: 5 vs. 0; p < 0.01) in patients. Disease duration was negatively correlated with convexity VRSs and positively with lobar (centr um semiovale) WML scores. Dilated convexity VRSs might be one of the initia l findings in cranial MRI of DM, preceding the appearance of lobar WMLs. Co pyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.