We report imaging abnormalities from 5 brain MR examinations in 4 children with methylmalonic acidaemia between the ages of
20 days and 31 months. In addition to bilateral basal ganglia lesions (pallidum) observed in 3 of 4 children, we found signs
of delayed brain maturation (myelination delay, immature gyral pattern, incomplete opercularization) in all children and signs
of a white matter disorder in the 3 older children. Unexpectedly, brainstem and cerebellar changes were present in all children.
Reviewing the brain imaging changes reported for methylmalonic acidaemia, we discuss the findings and patterns observed in
our patients. We postulate that delayed myelination and signs of a white matter disorder as well as brainstem and cerebellar
involvement are common findings and may be due to a chronic neurotoxic effect on the developing and ageing brain.
Communicating editor: Ivo Baric
Competing interests: None declared
References to electronic databases: mut− and mut0 defects of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase: OMIM #251000. Defective synthesis of adenosylcobalamin cblA type: OMIM #251100. Defective
synthesis of adenosylcobalamin cblB type: OMIM #251110. Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase: EC 5.4.99.2.