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Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis presenting with diffusion MR imaging
C Grommes1, C Griffin, K A Downes
1Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|August 15, 2008
Summary
Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) can show MR imaging abnormalities. This case highlights diffusion-weighted imaging changes in SREAT, improving with steroids and plasmapheresis, supporting inflammatory causes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) is an inflammatory neurological condition.
- It is characterized by encephalopathy and often associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Observation:
- A patient with SREAT presented with specific changes on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
- These MR imaging findings were observed during a subacute exacerbation of the condition.
Findings:
- The patient's diffusion-weighted MR imaging abnormalities showed improvement following treatment.
- Treatment included corticosteroid therapy and plasmapheresis.
- These clinical and imaging outcomes support the hypothesis of inflammatory processes in SREAT exacerbations.
Implications:
- Diffusion-weighted MR imaging may be a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring SREAT.
- The findings reinforce the role of inflammatory mechanisms in the pathophysiology of SREAT.
- Aggressive immunomodulatory treatments like plasmapheresis may be beneficial in managing SREAT exacerbations.
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