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Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes
Published on: June 13, 2011
Uncertainty of leukoencephalopathies: a case report
Mohamed A Taha1, T Scott Diesing2
1Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. mtaha@stanford.edu.
Background:
Adult-onset leukoencephalopathies are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by white matter abnormalities. Leukoencephalopathy is usually encountered in children, but here we report a case with adult-onset leukoencephalopathy. Also, we explore this concept of uncertainty in medicine by discussing the approach to this case that has multiple possible etiologies.
Case Presentation:
A 70-year-old Caucasian male presented with a subacute onset of cognitive impairment and mood disturbances associated with behavioral changes. Neuroimaging demonstrated high-intensity lesions involving cerebral white matter. Progressive dementia and cognitive decline followed. Multiple possible etiologies are discussed based on the patient presentation and risk factors.
Conclusion:
Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy can become a diagnostic challenge. Certain approaches need to be developed to explore the uncertainty of such conditions and to improve diagnostic yield.
