Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in children with rare movement disorders.

Both CT and MR can aid in the differentiation between benign and less favorable pediatric movement disorders. However, MR is the more sensitive imaging modality and thus preferable. This was demonstrated in 18 patients with conditions ranging from idiopathic dystonias to aminoacidopathies, Leigh's disease, and Hallervorden-Spatz disease. In the latter three entities characteristic lesions were shown in the basal ganglia, although not consistently. A specific diagnosis seems possible in Leigh's disease, provided the clinical setting is appropriate.