Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy with Reversible Diffuse Leukoencephalopathy

Background The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) are variable; images range from having a normal appearance, to showing ischemic lesions, demyelination, or vasogenic edema. Case Report A 57-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of dysarthria and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Woosub Hwang, Da-Eun Jeong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Korean Neurocritical Care Society 2018-06-01
Series:Journal of Neurocritical Care
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.e-jnc.org/upload/pdf/jnc-180055.pdf
Description
Summary:Background The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) are variable; images range from having a normal appearance, to showing ischemic lesions, demyelination, or vasogenic edema. Case Report A 57-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of dysarthria and dizziness. Routine blood tests were normal and the MRI was unremarkable. After admission, she developed aphasic seizures and myoclonus, and eventually became comatose. A follow up MRI showed diffuse high signal intensities at the bilateral cerebral white matter on fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging. The serum titers of the anti-thyroglobulin antibody and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody were increased. After 5 days of 1,000 mg/day of intravenous methylprednisolone infusion, she recovered rapidly. Conclusion We propose that repeated brain MRIs are necessary for the diagnosis of HE. Diffuse leukoencephalopathy may be a pathologic finding on MRI and, in this case study, was shown to be reversible after applying an appropriate treatment
ISSN:2005-0348
2508-1349