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Case Series
13 (
1
); 146-150
doi:
10.1055/s-0041-1740611

Imaging of Dentate Nucleus Pathologies: A Case Series

Department of Neurology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Usha Chowdary M.K., MD, DM Department of Neurology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517507 India usha.madineni123@gmail.com

Licence
This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Disclaimer:
This article was originally published by Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. and was migrated to Scientific Scholar after the change of Publisher.

Abstract

Abstract

The dentate nucleus is the largest cerebellar nucleus, and it controls cognition and voluntary movement. It is found in each cerebellar hemisphere medially and posterolateral to the lateral ventricle. Pathologies of the dentate nucleus can be detected using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Here, we present a case series of seven different dentate nucleus diseases and their neuroimaging findings recovered from archives of our institution.

Keywords

computed tomography
dentate nucleus
magnetic resonance imaging

Introduction

The largest and the most lateral of the four deep cerebellar nuclei is the dentate nucleus, located next to the vermis and posterolateral to the fourth ventricle.1 The dentate nucleus is a component of the cerebro-cerebellar circuitry, which relays information to the cortical and subcortical structures.1 It has domains for both motor and non-motor functions and is involved in motor movement planning and execution, cognition, and visuospatial sensory processing.1 The dentate nucleus can be affected by a variety of pathologies. Its involvement in imaging can be isolated or associated with lesions in other supra and/or infratentorial structures; thus, imaging aids in the formulation of differential diagnoses. Furthermore, lesions in the dentate nucleus may determine hypertrophic olivary degeneration and other transaxonal degenerations.2 This article reviews several possible causes of dentate nucleus lesions based on the neuroimaging studies recovered from the archives of our institution.

Cases' Presentations

Case 1

Clinical Picture

A 54-year-old man was on regular peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). He was diagnosed to have pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and was started on a four-drug antitubercular medication regimen that included isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. After 2 weeks, he developed symptoms of confusion, dysarthria, and gait imbalance as well as signs of bilateral horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus, dysmetria and past-pointing in all limbs, and ataxic gait.

Imaging Findings

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, T2-weighted imaging (WI) revealed symmetric hyperintensity involving the cerebellum's bilateral dentate nuclei (Fig. 1A). There was no diffusion restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)/apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping and there was no blooming on susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) (image not shown). The rest of the brain parenchyma, including the midbrain and thalamus, was normal (Table 1). After a provisional diagnosis of isoniazid (INH) toxicity, the drug was discontinued.

Fig. 1 (A) MRI brain T2 weighted image (WI) showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei in isoniazid toxicity. (B) MRI brain T2WI showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei in ornidazole toxicity. (C) MRI brain FLAIR image showing hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei, middle cerebellar peduncle, and pons in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. (D) MRI brain T2WI showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei and cerebellar hemispheres in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. Bilateral cerebellar hemispheres have prominent folia suggestive of cerebellar atrophy.

Fig. 1 (A) MRI brain T2 weighted image (WI) showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei in isoniazid toxicity. (B) MRI brain T2WI showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei in ornidazole toxicity. (C) MRI brain FLAIR image showing hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei, middle cerebellar peduncle, and pons in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. (D) MRI brain T2WI showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei and cerebellar hemispheres in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. Bilateral cerebellar hemispheres have prominent folia suggestive of cerebellar atrophy.

Table 1
Clinical data and lesion distribution on neuroimaging in the seven patients with dentate nucleus pathologies

Case

Diagnosis

Presentation

Dentate/ cerebellum

Medulla

Pons/MCP

Midbrain

Thalamus

BG

WM

DR

SWI

Other areasa

MRI resolution

1

Isoniazid toxicity

Encephalopathy and ataxia

Y

Midbrain and thalamus8

4 wk

2

Ornidazole toxicity

Encephalopathy, vertigo, and ataxia

Y

Brainstem, Cc, BG, and supratentorial WM9

4 wk

3

ADEM

Altered mental status and ataxia

Y, cerebellum

Pons/MCP

Corona radiata, CSO

Cerebellum, brainstem, BG, thalamus, cortex, supratentorial WM, and spinal cord10

12 wk

4

CTX

Childhood diarrhea, juvenile cataracts, progressive ataxia, and impaired cognition

Y, cerebellum

Y (inferior olive)

Posterior limb of IC, parieto-occipital deep WM

Inferior olive, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, supratentorial WM, corticospinal tracts, and Cc6

No resolution

5

NF1

Café-au-lait spots and neurofibromas. Screening MRI was done.

Y

MCP

BG, IC, brainstem, MCP, and cerebellum11

Data not available

6

Primary hypo-parathyroidism

Seizures

Y, cerebellum

Y

Y

Y

Not done

Brainstem, BG, thalamus, and IC12

No resolution

7

CLIPPERS

Headache, vomiting, dysarthria, generalized spasticity, and ataxia

Y, cerebellum

Y

Pons/MCP

Y

Posterior limb of IC

Y

Brainstem, MCP, cerebellum, and cervical spinal cord13

4 wk

Abbreviations: ADEM, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis; BG, basal ganglia; Cc, corpus callosum; CTX, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis; CLIPPERS, chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement sensitive to steroids; CSO, centrum semiovale; DR, diffusion restriction; IC, internal capsule; MCP, middle cerebellar peduncle; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NF1, neurofibromatosis type 1; SWI, susceptibility weighted imaging; WM, white matter; Y, involved; –, Not involved

Other areas: other structures likely involved in each disease.

Discussion

After 4 weeks, the patient's symptoms typically resolved. INH toxicity is caused by a lack of energy and a deficiency of vitamin B complex. Pyridoxal 5-phosphate synthesis is reduced, which is required for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that induces cerebellar symptoms when it is in the central nervous system.3

Diagnosis

Isoniazid-induced encephalopathy and cerebellitis in a patient with ESRD and PTB manifested as symmetrical dentate nuclei hyperintensities on both sides, which resolved once the drug was stopped.

Case 2

Clinical Picture

A 28-year-old man underwent surgical hemorrhoidectomy. Since then, he has been taking ornidazole on a daily basis. After 3 months, he experienced new-onset symptoms of confusion, vertigo, and gait imbalance. He did not have seizures or peripheral neuropathy. His vitals and systemic examination were normal. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 13/15 (eye 3, motor 6, and verbal 4). Neurological examination revealed dysarthria, bilateral horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus, impaired finger–nose test in all limbs, and ataxic gait.

Imaging Findings

MRI brain T2 WI showed symmetric hyperintensity involving bilateral dentate nuclei (Fig. 1B). There was no diffusion restriction on DWI and ADC mapping and there was no blooming on SWI imaging (image not shown). The rest of the brain parenchyma including the supratentorial white matter, corpus callosum, and midbrain, was normal. (Table 1). Ornidazole was withdrawn, and the patient showed typical clinical improvement and resolution of lesions on MRI.

Discussion

Ornidazole toxicity is primarily caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, free-radical damage, and impairment of GABAergic neurotransmission in the cerebellum and brainstem, which results in cytotoxic edema and localized axonal swelling.4

Diagnosis

Ornidazole toxicity manifested itself as encephalopathy, cerebellitis, and bilateral dentate nucleus hyperintensities, all of which disappeared once the drug was stopped.

Case 3

Clinical Picture

A 39-year-old woman had a short-duration fever 15 days ago and recovered spontaneously. She had not received any vaccines and had not experienced any infections requiring treatment recently. She had abrupt onset drowsiness and was unable to stand or walk on her own. Her vitals and systemic examination findings were normal. The GCS score was 13/15 (eye 3, motor 5, and verbal 4). On neurological evaluation, she was disoriented to time, place, and person. She also had dysarthria and horizontal nystagmus and was uncooperative for the rest of the examination.

Imaging Findings

MRI brain fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence revealed hyperintensity in the bilateral dentate nuclei, cerebellum, middle cerebellar peduncles, pons (Fig. 1C), and supratentorial white matter (bilateral corona radiata, centrum semiovale, sub-cortical white matter of bilateral frontal, and temporal lobes). However, there was no diffusion restriction, blooming, or post-contrast enhancement in the corresponding areas. Bilateral thalami and the rest of the brain were normal (images not shown) (Table 1).

Discussion

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) was the preliminary diagnosis. She was treated with a 1 g/day dose of methylprednisolone for 5 days and was switched to oral prednisolone, 40 mg/day, which was slowly tapered over a period of 3 months and discontinued. After 3 months, the patient's symptoms improved significantly, and the lesions resolved on MRI. Okumura et al reported a case study of two patients with ADEM and severe brain involvement, including dentate nuclei.5

Diagnosis

Diffuse brain including bilateral dentate nuclei hyperintensities in a patient with ADEM.

Case 4

Clinical Picture

A 47-year-old woman experienced symptoms of progressive unsteadiness and abnormal behavior over the past 9 years. As a toddler, she had suffered from severe diarrhea and later developed juvenile cataracts. During systemic and neurological evaluation, she was found to have multiple xanthomas, impaired cognition, horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus, dysmetria and past-pointing in all four limbs, and ataxic gait. Her younger sister is afflicted with the same condition.

Imaging Findings

An MRI brain T2 sequence revealed symmetric hyperintensity in the bilateral dentate nucleus (Fig. 1D), inferior olive, cerebellar hemisphere, posterior limb of internal capsule, and parieto-occipital deep white matter (images not shown). Nonetheless, there was no diffusion restriction, blooming, or contrast enhancement in these hyperintensities. The rest of the brain including globus pallidus and substantia nigra was normal (Table 1). MRI orbit T1/T2 WI showed the presence of a hypointense lesion in the lower eyelid, which was suggestive of xanthoma.

Discussion

The presence of chronic diarrhea, juvenile cataracts, tendon xanthomas, progressive cerebellar ataxia, and cognitive decline suggested cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). Pudhiavan et al. reported similar clinical and imaging findings in CTX in his case report.6

Diagnosis

CTX

Case 5

Clinical Picture

A 5-year-old girl had multiple café-au-lait spots and a few neurofibromas. She was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) based on its diagnostic criteria. Her neurological evaluation was unremarkable.

Imaging Findings

MRI brain T2WI/FLAIR revealed hyperintensities in the bilateral dentate nuclei and left middle cerebellar peduncle (Fig. 2A) without diffusion restriction. There was no blooming on SWI and there was no post-contrast enhancement. The rest of the brain was normal (Table 1). There were no other NF1 features, either clinically or on brain/whole spine imaging

Fig. 2 (A) MRI brain T2 weighted image (WI) showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei and left middle cerebellar peduncle in Neurofibromatosis type 1. (B) CT brain showing hyperdensities in bilateral dentate nuclei and cerebellar hemispheres in primary hypoparathyroidism. (C) CT brain showing hyperdensities in bilateral basal ganglia and supratentorial white matter in primary hypoparathyroidism. (D) MRI brain T2WI showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei, middle cerebellar peduncle, and pons in chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids.

Fig. 2 (A) MRI brain T2 weighted image (WI) showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei and left middle cerebellar peduncle in Neurofibromatosis type 1. (B) CT brain showing hyperdensities in bilateral dentate nuclei and cerebellar hemispheres in primary hypoparathyroidism. (C) CT brain showing hyperdensities in bilateral basal ganglia and supratentorial white matter in primary hypoparathyroidism. (D) MRI brain T2WI showing symmetric hyperintensities in bilateral dentate nuclei, middle cerebellar peduncle, and pons in chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids.

Discussion

Takashi Itoh described a range of imaging abnormalities in NF1. The lesions primarily affect the cerebellar hemisphere and the dentate nucleus in the first decade and never after the third decade.7

Diagnosis

Bilateral dentate nucleus hyperintensities were identified on screening brain/spine MRI in a patient with NF1.

Case 6

Clinical Picture

A 36-year-old woman receiving regular treatment for primary hypoparathyroidism experienced hypocalcemia symptoms as well as multiple generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs were both present. The neurological exam was unremarkable.

Imaging Findings

The 36-year-old woman's CT brain showed hyperdense signal in the bilateral dentate nuclei, cerebellar hemispheres (Fig. 2B), basal ganglia, and supratentorial white matter (Fig. 2C). These imaging findings were suggestive of calcification (Table 1).

Discussion

Primary hypoparathyroidism is a well-known cause of metabolic intracranial brain calcifications.

Diagnosis

A patient with primary hypoparathyroidism and seizure disorder had pathological intracranial calcification involving the diffuse brain parenchyma and including the bilateral dentate nuclei.

Case 7

Clinical Picture

A 23-year-old man had suffered from severe headache and vomiting for 4 weeks. He also experienced a slight unsteadiness while walking. Neurological evaluation revealed bilateral gaze-evoked nystagmus, pyramidal signs in the form of generalized spasticity, hyperreflexia, and bilateral extensor plantar response and cerebellar signs in the form of dysmetria and past-pointing involving all the limbs and gait ataxia.

Imaging Findings

On MRI brain plain and post-contrast imaging, T2WI/FLAIR showed symmetric hyperintensity in the dentate nucleus, middle cerebellar peduncle, pons (Fig. 2D), and midbrain without any diffusion restriction on DWI/ADC mapping. Furthermore, the pons and midbrain showed diffuse punctate nodular enhancement. On SWI, there were multiple punctate areas of blooming in the pons (images not shown) (Table 1).

Discussion

The patient responded to intravenous methylprednisolone 1 g/day for 5 days. A follow-up MRI performed after 4 weeks showed near-complete resolution. He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement sensitive to steroids (CLIPPERS) based on imaging characteristics and steroid responsiveness.

Diagnosis

CLIPPERS.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Funding None

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