title: [Diagnosis of prion diseases].
abstract: Prion diseases are histologically characterized by a spongiform encephalopathy. The early symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) are unspecific. To date, the definite diagnosis can only be made by histological examination of central nervous tissue, i.e. brain biopsy or post mortem. Therefore, diagnostic tests are being elaborated that suffice with cerebrospinal fluid or blood. Unlike the sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, that involves the central nervous system exclusively, in the variant of the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease the lymphoreticular system including the tonsils is involved, too. Hence, a tonsillar biopsy can be performed instead of a brain biopsy. In particular, the diagnostic criteria of both CJD and vCJD are described.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Universitätsklinken des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Strasse, 66421 Homburg/Saar. Ph.Federspil@uniklinik-saarland.de
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Federspil
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Federspil
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Plinkert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
vernacular_title: Diagnostik der Prionkrankheiten.