Eye of the tiger sign

Last updated

The eye of the tiger sign is a radiologic sign observed on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain. It appears as a central area of hyperintense signal surrounded by a ring of hypointensity in the anteromedial part of the globus pallidus. [1] The eye of the tiger sign is recognized as a diagnostic feature of pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration, previously known as Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome. [2] This is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with excess iron accumulation in the brain. The hypointense area is thought to be caused by the excess iron while the central hyperintensity is possibly a result of gliosis. [2]

References

  1. Guillerman, R. Paul (2000). "The Eye-of-the-Tiger Sign" . Radiology. 217 (3): 895–896. doi:10.1148/radiology.217.3.r00dc31895. ISSN   0033-8419.
  2. 1 2 Chang, Chaw-Liang; Lin, Chih-Ming (2011). "Eye-of-the-Tiger sign is not Pathognomonic of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration in Adult Cases". Brain and Behavior. 1 (1): 55–56. doi:10.1002/brb3.8. ISSN   2162-3279. PMC   3217674 . PMID   22398981.