Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Case Report

A case of steroid-responsive encephalopathy with positive 14-3-3 protein of the cerebrospinal fluid clinically resembling Creutzfelt-Jakob disease

Kanae Utsumiya, M.D.1), Ryuki Arakawa, M.D.1), Shin Fujimoto, M.D.1)2), Hidetsugu Ueyama, M.D.1) and Toshihide Kumamoto, M.D.1)

1)Department of Brain and Nerve Science (Third Department of Internal Medicine), Oita University Faculty of Medicine
2)Ueo Memorial Hospital

A 69-year old man developed subacutely progressive dementia, inactivity, and gait disturbance. On admission, he showed flutter-like oscillation of the bilateral eyes and myoclonus with upper extremities. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed elevation of protein (73.2 mg/dl) and the positive 14-3-3 protein. An electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed diffuse slowing (2-3 Hz, 80 μV). Brain MRI showed high intensity lesions in the white matter and left thalamus on FLAIR and diffusion imaging. We first suspected Creutzfelt-Jakob disease (CJD), but his symptoms didn't progress and showed no PSD on EEG. Oral corticosteroid therapy (prednisolone 60 mg/day) brought him remarkable recovery corresponding with improvement of CSF and EEG findings. Despite of etiology unknown, we made a diagnosis of steroid-responsive encephalopathy.

(CLINICA NEUROL, 44: 618|622, 2004)
key words: steroid-responsive encephalopathy, 14-3-3 protein, Creutzfelt-Jakob disease, flutter-like oscillation

(Received: 14-Feb-04)