[Progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis complicating polymyositis].
BACKGROUND
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML) must be evoked in patients presenting with a systemic disease during which multiple neurological deficiencies rapidly worsen.


METHODS
A 17 year-old girl suffering from histologically confirmed polymyositis was treated with corticosteroids. Two years after the diagnosis she exhibited global signs of cerebral damage with fever and magnetic resonance imaging evoked leukoencephalitis.


CONCLUSIONS
An affection of the central nervous system, PML is characterised by the existence of multiple areas of demyelination in the hemispheric white substance of the cerebral trunk and sometimes the cerebellum, whereas the grey substance is usually spared. This entity occurs more frequently in HIV-infected patients, but also in patients in whom the immunodeficiency may have other causes, such as the treatment for a systemic disease for example.
Elloumi
Mohamed
M
Service de rhumatologie, Hôpital universitaire Hédi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisie. elloumu02@yahoo.fr
Ayadi
Nada
N
Mhiri
Chokri
C
Jlidi
Rachid
R
Baklouti
Soufiène
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011241:Prednisone