title: [Progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis complicating polymyositis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Service de rhumatologie, Hôpital universitaire Hédi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisie. elloumu02@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elloumi
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ayadi
authors.forename: Chokri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mhiri
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jlidi
authors.forename: Soufiène
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baklouti
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011241:Prednisone