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Rheumatoid meningitis mimicking progressive supranuclear palsy.
Maria Jose Aguilar-Amat1, Maria Jose Abenza-Abildúa, Francisco Vivancos
1Department of Neurology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
The Neurologist
|May 3, 2011
Summary
Rheumatoid meningitis, a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis, presents with varied neurological symptoms. Diagnosis requires biopsy, confirming rheumatoid pachymeningitis and guiding treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Rheumatoid meningitis is a rare manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Few cases are documented, with highly variable clinical presentations.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis developed cognitive decline, facial masking, gaze limitation, and stiffness.
- Brain MRI revealed dural plaques and leptomeningeal enhancement.
Findings:
- Image-guided biopsy confirmed rheumatoid pachymeningitis.
- Symptoms mimicked progressive supranuclear palsy.
Implications:
- Biopsy is crucial for diagnosing chronic pachymeningitis.
- Progressive supranuclear palsy-like symptoms can arise from diverse conditions.
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