Cerebral Palsy and Autism Associated With Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensity on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A New Disorder and Its Treatment

• Aamir Jalal Al–Mosawi*

Citation: Al–Mosawi AJ. Cerebral Palsy and Autism Associated With Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensity on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A New Disorder and Its Treatment. Medp Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2022; 1(1): mppbs–202209007.

Abstract

  Background: We have previously reported the very rare sporadic occurrence of periventricular white matter hyperintensity on brain magnetic resonance imaging with atypical neuropsychiatric manifestation including late onset (after the first year) non– progressive spastic cerebral palsy, and autistic features. There is no published experience with treatment with such rare conditions. 

  Patients and methods: A Palestinian boy from the Western Bank who had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (mild spastic diplegia) and gross sensory motor delay with development of autistic features was previously reported to have a very rare condition consisting of spastic cerebral palsy and autism associated with periventricular white matter hyperintensity on brain magnetic resonance imaging. 

  Results: Before treatment, at the about the age of five year and half year, he was unable to stand from sitting position on the floor alone, but he could walk very slowly for few steps, but was falling on his head several times. He was not saying any word and had impaired communication with others as he was not responding to his name most of the time. The boy was treated with courses of multi–factorial therapies based on our extensive published experiences with the treatment of cerebral palsy and autism. 

 After four months of treatment, the boy showed significant improvement in motor abilities and he was able to stand from the sitting position on the floor alone, and he was walking confidently for long time and also going upstairs holding the bars. Autistic features improved and he was much more responsive to his name than before treatment, and his eye contact was better. His communication skills improved and was increasingly asking to go out and waving goodbye. 

  Conclusion: In this paper the emergence of a new clinical disorder is emphasized. It is characterized by the association of cerebral palsy and autism with periventricular white matter hyperintensity on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment of the disorder with courses of evidence–based multi–factorial was associated with significant improvement. 

  Keywords: Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensity; Cerebral Palsy; Autism; Multi–Factorial Therapies.