Brain volumetric analysis and cortical thickness in adults with saccadic intrusions (ocular flutter or opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome)

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2017 Dec:163:167-172. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.10.028. Epub 2017 Oct 31.

Abstract

Objectives: Ocular flutter (OF) and opsoclonus are considered a continuum with a similar pathogenesis. Due to the rarity of this disease in the adult population, little is known about the brain morphological changes in the chronic phase of the disease.

Patients and methods: Six magnetic resonance imaging from adults with previous history of OF/Opsoclonus and 12 healthy patients (paired by age and sex) were analyzed in order to identify the long term cortical thickness pattern in this rare disease by using Freesurfer.

Results: Patients with OF/Opsoclonus showed reduced cerebellum cortical volume with a subsequent diminution in total cerebellar volume. White mater cerebellum volume was not modified. In addition, we have also identified a significant supratentorial gray matter volume decrease in OF/Opsoclonus patients, involving both the cortical and the subcortical gray matter.

Conclusions: OF/Opsoclonus in adults may be associated with cortical and subcortical gray matter atrophy, as well as decreased cerebellar cortical volume. Further larger prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Keywords: Cerebellar atrophy; Cortical thickness; Ocular flutter; Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Atrophy
  • Cerebellum / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gray Matter / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / diagnosis
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / pathology*
  • Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome / pathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Saccades