Reversible white matter alterations in encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease is an underdiagnosed clinical condition. No specific disease marker exists and to date, imaging techniques have not proven useful. The disease is characterized by seizures, stroke-like events and psychiatric symptoms. Here, we present the report of a patient with encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in which a reversible white matter disorder was detected by MR imaging. This encephalopathy was alleviated and later disappeared following corticosteroid treatment. We conclude that the white matter is the principal brain tissue involved in this condition and that brain MRI studies may prove to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of patients suffering this treatable disease.
Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Ps Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
Patricia
P
Pozo-Rosich
Pablo
P
Villoslada
Ana
A
Canton
Rafael
R
Simo
Alex
A
Rovira
Xavier
X
Montalban
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; C006606:anti-thyroglobulin; D011239:Prednisolone; D013974:Thyroxine; D008775:Methylprednisolone