OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether proton density-weighted imaging can detect the "hot cross bun" sign in the pons in multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia significantly better than T2-weighted imaging at 3T. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia according to the Consensus Criteria were reviewed. Axial unenhanced proton density-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging were obtained using a dual-echo fast spin-echo sequence at 3T. Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated visualisation of the abnormal pontine signal using a 4-point visual grade from Grade 0 (no "hot cross bun" sign) to Grade 3 (prominent "hot cross bun" sign on two or more sequential slices). Differences in grade between proton density-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging were statistically analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: In 11 patients (69%), a higher grade was given for proton density-weighted imaging than T2-weighted imaging. In 1 patient (6%), grades were the same (Grade 3) on both images. In the remaining 4 patients (25%), signal abnormalities were not detected on either image (Grade 0). The "hot cross bun" sign was thus observed significantly better on proton density-weighted imaging than on T2-weighted imaging (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The "hot cross bun" sign considered diagnostic for multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia is significantly better visualised on proton density-weighted imaging than on T2-weighted imaging at 3T.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether proton density-weighted imaging can detect the "hot cross bun" sign in the pons in multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia significantly better than T2-weighted imaging at 3T. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia according to the Consensus Criteria were reviewed. Axial unenhanced proton density-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging were obtained using a dual-echo fast spin-echo sequence at 3T. Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated visualisation of the abnormal pontine signal using a 4-point visual grade from Grade 0 (no "hot cross bun" sign) to Grade 3 (prominent "hot cross bun" sign on two or more sequential slices). Differences in grade between proton density-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging were statistically analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: In 11 patients (69%), a higher grade was given for proton density-weighted imaging than T2-weighted imaging. In 1 patient (6%), grades were the same (Grade 3) on both images. In the remaining 4 patients (25%), signal abnormalities were not detected on either image (Grade 0). The "hot cross bun" sign was thus observed significantly better on proton density-weighted imaging than on T2-weighted imaging (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The "hot cross bun" sign considered diagnostic for multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia is significantly better visualised on proton density-weighted imaging than on T2-weighted imaging at 3T.
Authors: Adam M Staffaroni; Fanny M Elahi; Dana McDermott; Kacey Marton; Elissaios Karageorgiou; Simone Sacco; Matteo Paoletti; Eduardo Caverzasi; Christopher P Hess; Howard J Rosen; Michael D Geschwind Journal: Semin Neurol Date: 2017-12-05 Impact factor: 3.420
Authors: G Carré; J L Dietemann; O Gebus; S Montaut; O Lagha-Boukbiza; T Wirth; S Kremer; I J Namer; M Anheim; C Tranchant Journal: J Neurol Date: 2020-01-14 Impact factor: 4.849