Transcranial sonography in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Introduction: In this study we analyzed transcranial sonography (TCS) in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 66 DM1 patients and 55 matched healthy controls (HCs). Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe (BR) and substantia nigra (SN) and third ventricle width (DTV) were assessed by TCS. Results: BR hypoechogenicity was more common in DM1 patients than in HCs (37.7% vs. 7.8%, P<0.01). Patients with depression or fatigue were more likely to have BR hypoechogenicity (80.0% vs. 29.4%, P<0.01 and 51.9% vs. 24.2%, P<0.05, respectively). Both hypoechogenicity and hyperechogenicity of SN were more frequent in DM1 patients than in controls (26.2% vs. 10.9% and 13.1% vs. 1.8%, respectively, P<0.01). DTV was increased in DM1 patients compared with HCs (6.0±1.4 vs. 4.9±0.9 mm, P<0.01). Conclusion: TCS can offer new insight into structural changes of several cerebral areas in patients with DM1.