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[Gouty encephalopathy: myth or reality?]
1Service de médecine interne, hôpital d'instruction des Armées Sainte-Anne, Toulon Naval, France.
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|January 1, 1997
Summary
A rare case of unexplained febrile encephalopathy and gout polyarthritis responded dramatically to colchicine. This suggests gout encephalopathy may be a distinct neurological condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Febrile encephalopathy and polyarthritis can present with overlapping symptoms.
- Gout is a common inflammatory condition, but its neurological manifestations are not well-defined.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old woman presented with unexplained febrile encephalopathy, diffuse myoclonic jerks, and polyarthritis.
- Extensive investigations for infectious, toxic, vascular, metabolic, hormonal, and immunologic causes were negative.
Findings:
- Neurological symptoms showed a remarkable improvement with colchicine treatment alone.
- The response to colchicine strongly suggests a link between gout and the observed encephalopathy.
Implications:
- This case report proposes the existence of 'gout encephalopathy' as a potential diagnosis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria for gout encephalopathy.