Incidental magnetic resonance imaging findings leading to an unusual diagnosis: Adult onset Krabbe disease.

Background And Purpose: Krabbe disease (KD), or globoid cell leukodystrophy (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man #245200), is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in GALC leading to galactocerebrosidase deficiency. Age at onset can vary from early infancy (3-6 months of age) to adulthood, which has rarely been reported. Little is known about the natural history and early manifestations of adult onset KD (AOKD).

Methods: Here, we report a patient with an incidental diagnosis of AOKD and discuss management options in this scenario.

Results: A 32-year-old woman came to medical attention because of headache and had brain magnetic resonance imaging findings compatible with AOKD, two pathogenic variants in GALC, and reduced activity of galactocerebrosidase. The jury is still out about the best management of such cases, and clinicians should be aware of this diagnosis, as AOKD is a potentially treatable condition.

Conclusions: AOKD is a rare and potentially treatable condition. More studies on natural history of AOKD are urgently needed to guide the best management of this disease.