Spongiform encephalopathies in the elderly: a case report of clinicopathological and literature review
- VernacularTitle:老年人海绵状脑病一例报告及文献复习
- Author:
Mingwei ZHU
;
Luning WANG
;
Wenfu LU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Prion diseases
- From:
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics
2000;0(04):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the clinical features of spongiform encephalopathies occurred in the elderly and causes of misdiagnosis. Methods Clinicopathological diagnosis of a 79 year old man with acute spongiform encephalopathy was reported. Clinical, EEG and MRI characteristics of eight old patients with spongiform encephalopathy in China confirmed by neuropathology were reviewed. Results Elder patients with spongiform encephalopathies had an acute onset and a rapid developing course, and all patients presented with progressive dementia accompanied by various clinical manisfestations of extrapyramidal diseases. EEG recordings with typical periodic sharp wave complexes (PSP) was shown in six cases, and abnormal T2 signal in both basal ganglia by MRI in one case. Three cases were misdiagnosed as cerebral vascular disease and one cse as encephalitis herpes cimplex. Conclusions Spongiform encephalopathy in the elderly should be paid more attention to since their early clinical symptoms are similar to that of the acute cerebral vascular diseases. It is suggested that early diagnosis of spongiform encephalopathy could be made basing on the combination of the typical clinical characteristics and dynamic EEG findings, and brain biopsy if necessary, to avoid nosocomial spreading.
