TableĀ 2

Further investigations

InvestigationResult
B12 and folateNormal
Leucocyte and plasma enzymes
Serum antinuclear antibody
Serum protein electrophoresis
Urine porphyrin screen
Urine organic acids
Cerebrospinal fluidNo oligoclonal bands
Evoked potentials Bilateral delay of tibial sensory evoked potentials, particularly on the left. Visual evoked potentials were normal. Right brainstem auditory evoked potentials were mildly delayed
Repeat MR scan of brainAxial MR scan of brain (see figure 1) showed signal change in the brainstem and cerebellar white matter with bilateral symmetrical high signal in both thalami. T2-weighted low signal in the globi pallidi and cerebral peduncle, consistent with mineralisation. Also, symmetrical signal change in the lentiform nuclei, pons, cerebellar hemispheres, dentate nuclei with some cystic component and infratentorial atrophy. Appearance favours Wilson's disease or Leigh's syndrome
Muscle biopsyNon-specific fat storage abnormality
Amino acid levelsRaised tyrosine (may indicate liver involvement)