MR imaging of chronic alcoholism

We evaluated the brain lesions of patients with chronic alcoholism in comparison with age-and sex-matched controls by MR imaging. T1-weighted sagittal and axial images and T2-weighted axial images were obtained with a 0.5 T superconducting MR unit. Various brain measurements were then performed, and the presence of regions of abnormal signal intensity was also compared between the two groups. The brain measurements revealed significant cerebral atrophy as well as significant cerebellar atrophy in the alcoholic group. These changes were more prominent in patients in their fifties and sixties than in those aged in the thirties and forties. Focal hypointense lesions were observed in 20.6% of the alcoholics and in 5% of the controls, while focal hyperintense lesions were observed in 61.8% of the alcoholics and in 20% of the controls. The severity of the MR findings correlated well with the age of the patients. These observations suggest that alcohol is an important promotor of brain aging. (orig.)