Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42468917›Full record

ReviewArquivos de neuro-psiquiatria2026

Magnetic resonance imaging in leukodystrophies: characteristic patterns and diagnostic relevance.

Matheus de Lima Ruffini, Danilo de Assis Pereira, Rafael Saliba Helmer, Adolfo Moraes de Souza, Bernardo Savaya Lima, Gabrielle Baccarin, Gustavo Kazuo Yamada, Luiz Fernando Monte Borella, Renan Denadai Turci, Juliana Ávila Duarte and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Matheus de Lima RuffiniUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil.ORCID 0009-0006-6885-8646
Danilo de Assis PereiraPontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0002-1148-2610
Rafael Saliba HelmerUniversidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas SP, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0003-3400-5064
Adolfo Moraes de SouzaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0002-0786-5571
Bernardo Savaya LimaPontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, Brazil.ORCID 0009-0006-2436-2649
Gabrielle BaccarinUniversidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas SP, Brazil.ORCID 0009-0006-4073-7340
Gustavo Kazuo YamadaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas SP, Brazil.ORCID 0009-0003-9949-1208
Luiz Fernando Monte BorellaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas SP, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0003-2661-4791
Renan Denadai TurciUniversidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas SP, Brazil.ORCID 0009-0009-3592-184X
Juliana Ávila DuarteUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0003-4973-2889
Fabiano ReisUniversidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas SP, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0003-2256-4379

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Leukodystrophies are inherited disorders that primarily affect the central nervous system white matter and often present with nonspecific symptoms, making early diagnosis difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the key initial imaging test because it reveals characteristic myelin patterns that can guide biochemical and genetic workups. Objective: To review clinically useful MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS) patterns in major leukodystrophies and emphasize their diagnostic relevance using a practical, pattern-recognition approach. Methods: Narrative review of the literature integrating conventional MRI, including T1/T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), as well as advanced techniques (MRS), with a pictorial, case-based approach. Results: The pivotal imaging distinction is between hypomyelination-diffuse, persistent T2/FLAIR hyperintensity with relative temporal stability and absent enhancement-and demyelination, characterized by confluent, progressive lesions with disorder-specific topographic predilection. Recognizable signatures include U-fiber sparing and a tigroid pattern in metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD); parieto-occipital predominance with trizonal enhancement and restricted diffusion in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD); frontal predominance and the "tadpole sign" in Alexander's disease; optic pathway and thalamic involvement in Krabbe's disease; markedly elevated N-acetylaspartate (NAA) on MRS in Canavan's disease; and tract-selective leukoencephalopathy brainstem/spinal cord involvement with a lactate peak (LBSL). These imaging clues refine differential diagnosis, guide targeted genetic testing, and support longitudinal monitoring. Conclusion: The use of MRI-especially when complemented by DWI and MRS-remains central for early recognition and classification of leukodystrophies. A structured, pattern-based approach integrating clinical context with imaging topography can reduce diagnostic delay and support timely management.

Indexed as

Hereditary Central Nervous System Demyelinating DiseasesMagnetic Resonance ImagingDiffusion Magnetic Resonance ImagingHumansLeukodystrophy, MetachromaticMagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Identifiers

PMID42468917
PMCPMC13379286

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.