Case report
Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting with neurocognitive symptoms: a case report
Department of Medicine, Arzobispo Loayza Hospital, Lima, Peru
Journal of Medical Case Reports 2010, 4:337 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-4-337
Published: 25 October 2010Abstract
Introduction
Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a neurological disorder of unknown cause associated with thyroid autoimmunity. The disease occurs primarily in the fifth decade of life and may present in two types - a sudden vasculitic type or a progressive subacute type associated to cognitive dysfunction, confusion and memory loss.
Case presentation
We report the case of a 62-year-old Hispanic woman, previously healthy, who developed a subacute onset of declining upper brain function. Serologic studies demonstrated high levels of antithyroid antibodies. Electroencephalographic and magnetic resonance image findings were consistent with Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
Conclusion
Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a diagnosis of exclusion. This unusual disorder is often under-recognized because of the multiple and protracted neurocognitive manifestations; therefore, it is important to be aware of the clinical manifestations to make a correct diagnosis.
