Reversible white matter alterations in encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease

Abstract

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.

Rituximab-related posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in HUS patient post kidney transplant

“…The syndrome was described in association with acute hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia, renal disease, sepsis, and exposure to immunosuppressive agents [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. It has been less commonly described in the setting of autoimmune disease [15][16][17][18][19].…”

A case of autoimmune thyroid disease presenting posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome

“…This finding is similar to those noted in pr evious reports of EAATD. 6,13 The cerebellar hemisphere, temporal lobe, brainstem, and hippocampus were also involved in some cases. 4,7,8 In a limited number of the cases of EAATD, cor tical involvement was observed, as in our case.…”

“…Because her symptoms had disappeared, corticosteroid treatment was not performed. She was treated 6 with mercaptomethylimidazole, and the sensory disturbance in her right arm gradually diminished. She was discharged without neurological deficit on day 30.…”

Neurological signs and symptoms in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

“…Among all of the patients but one who experienced headache, there were no previously diagnosed diseases that were contributory. Headache as a symptom of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome have already (17,18) and in other autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (19,20).…”