Microhemorrhages in MELAS Lesions: A Case Report

Introduction: Microhemorrhages have not been described in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes syndrome (MELAS) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Main symptoms and/or important findings: A MELAS-patient had a rapid succession of 3 stroke-like episodes with dysphasia, visual field deficits and paresis of the right arm. MRI showed a lesion with corticosubcortical vasogenic edema without reduced diffusion, conforming to a stroke-like MELAS-lesion. Microhemorrhages within MELAS-lesions were detected on MRI. The main diagnoses, therapeutic interventions, and outcomes: Microhemorrhages are an atypical imaging finding in MELAS. The patient was treated with L-arginine.

Conclusion: Microhemorrhages can present on MRI in (sub)acute MELAS lesions and may reflect mitochondrial microangiopathy.