Dementia with Lewy bodies is a neurodegenerative disease without typical MRI manifestations, and MRI is often used to distinguish it from other diseases such as vascular dementia.
There is no typical CT or MRI manifestation of Lewy body dementia. Due to its degenerative nature, a certain degree of atrophy can be seen in the substantia nigra and basal ganglia regions of the midbrain, and the cerebral hemispheres have a degree of atrophy similar to that of a normal elderly person.
MRI is usually used for the differential diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. In vascular dementia, MRI may show cerebral infarction or hemorrhagic foci, while in Lewy body dementia MRI suggests that the temporal lobe structure is intact. Symptoms such as fluctuating cognitive deficits, visual hallucinations, and motor retardation are present. A SPECT or PET examination may reveal a decreased metabolic rate in the occipital cortex in patients with Lewy body dementia, which may aid in the diagnosis.
When Lewy body dementia is suspected, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination to rule out other diseases such as vascular dementia and brain tumor. SPECT or PET examination may reveal decreased metabolic rate of occipital cortex in patients with Lewy body dementia, which may assist in diagnosis. Once diagnosed, it should be treated promptly.