White matter abnormalities in autism.

Abstract

<p>Two children illustrating the principal categories of white matter signal abnormalities. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0004415#pone-0004415-g001" target="_blank">Figure 1A</a>. Punctate T2 Hyperintensity: Abnormal findings were placed in this category when small (<2 mm) rounded abnormalities were found scattered bilaterally in the white matter (white arrow). They were asymmetric and homogeneous, and no findings suggest that necrosis was present. They were very intense compared with adjacent white matter on T2 and FLAIR sequences, and did not involve the basal ganglia, the periventricular white matter fibers or the sub-cortical U fibers. These abnormalities were generally found in association with other supratentorial abnormalities. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0004415#pone-0004415-g001" target="_blank">Figure 1B</a>. Posterior T2 Hyperintensity. Abnormalities placed in this category were “plaque-like areas” of mild white matter hyperintensity relatively symmetrical bilaterally at the posterior horns of the lateral ventricles (black arrow). There was no deformation of the lateral ventricular contour adjacent to these lesions. No abnormality of the sub-cortical U fibers was observed.</p