[Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmitted by cadaveric dural graft: a case report]

We report a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in a 38-year-old man, transmitted by a cadaveric dural graft. In August 1985, he underwent cranial nerve decompression for hemifacial spasm and received a cadaveric dural graft for dural closure. He had been well until he began to complain of blurred vision and headache in May, 1990. He developed dementia, myoclonus and urinary incontinence over the subsequent 3 months. He was admitted to our hospital in August, 1990. On admission, he was somnolent and showed gait disturbance, myoclonus in extremities and elevated deep tendon reflexes symmetrically. The results of analysis of blood, urinary and cerebrospinal fluid were normal. The initial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging detected no abnormality. Electroencephalography showed typical periodic synchronous discharge (PSD). There was progressive worsening of his neurological symptoms, and this developed into mutism in September, 1990. CT, 11 months after clinical onset, showed marked enlargement of the ventricles and the sulci. In view of his rapid worsening clinical course, PSD findings on electroencephalography, and delayed progressive changes of CT findings, the diagnosis of CJD disease was made. The cadaveric dural graft was suspected as the cause of the patient's condition. Since Thadani et al reported the first case of CJD transmitted by cadaveric dural graft in 1988, 3 other cases have been reported. This is most likely the 5th reported case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmitted by cadaveric dural graft.