Steroid-Responsive Recurrent Encephalopathy Associated with Subacute Thyroiditis.
- Author:
Yun Jae CHUNG
1
;
Kwang Yeol PARK
;
Jihyun AHN
;
Sam Yeol HA
;
Young Chul YOUN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: brain diseases; 14-3-3 proteins; subacute thyroiditis
- MeSH: 14-3-3 Proteins; Angiography; Brain; Brain Diseases; Dysarthria; Female; Gait; Hashimoto Disease; Hematologic Tests; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Thyroiditis, Subacute; Thyrotoxicosis
- From:Journal of Clinical Neurology 2008;4(4):167-170
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with subacute thyroiditis has, to our knowledge, not been reported previously. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old woman was found collapsed and brought to our institution with decreased mentality, dysarthria, and gait disturbance. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and angiography were normal but blood tests revealed thyroid-autoantibody-negative thyrotoxicosis. Results of a (99m)technetium-pertechnetate scan were compatible with the thyrotoxic phase of subacute thyroiditis. 14-3-3 proteins were detected in cerebrospinal fluid. Her mental status began to improve from the day following steroid administration. Recurrent encephalopathy was found 2 months after the initial admission, which was also effectively treated with steroid. CONCLUSIONS:We speculate that steroid-responsive recurrent encephalopathy associated with subacute thyroiditis is a subtype of Hashimoto's encephalopathy, and consider that steroid treatment should not be delayed in suspected patients.
