Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the value of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in sequential evaluation of
patients with Leigh syndrome.MethodsTwo patients with Leigh syndrome underwent diffusion weighted imaging (DWI),
perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS).ResultsThe brain lesions showed
hyperintensity on DWI, lactate doublet peak on MRS and hyperperfusion in the patients at baseline, and maintained a
hyperintensity on DWI and hyperperfusion in the absence of lactate doublet peak on MRS at follow-up1year later. DWI still
revealed persistent hyperintensity in the brain lesions in one patient2years later.ConclusionFunctional MRI can sensitively
highlight the characteristics of brain lesions in patients with Leigh syndrome, and can therefore be used to evaluate the
sequential changes of the brain lesions.