Imaging In Diagnosis Of Sporadic Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease

The subacute transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative genetic. They are characterized by the presence of a protein substance: a prion. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain can currently contribute to the diagnosis of TSE.We report the case of a patient of 70 years who presented in June 2004 with myoclonus, syndrome dementia, rapid deterioration and fatalities. The electroencephalogram (EEG) showed basic activity slowed and symmetrical without periodic activity. MRI brain showed hypersignals at the basal ganglia (BG) especially in the striatum but also the cortical level.The study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cytochemistry was normal with presence of the protein 14-3-3. Syphilitic serology was negative, serology for hepatitis C positive and normal thyroid stock. The diagnosis of Creutzfeldt Jacob sporadic likely was incorporated.Pathological evidence is the only way to get a certain diagnosis in the TSE, the contribution of imaging and especially new technologies MRI can be a valuable aid in the diagnosis of prion diseases.In sporadic forms, MRI can highlight hypersignals of BG visible on the sequences T2, Flair or broadcast, which may be an argument for the diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt Jacob in a patient with dementia of rapid change.