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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-8-31
pubmed:abstractText
Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease, currently known as Hashimoto's encephalopathy, but also defined as corticosteroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis, is a relatively rare condition observed in a small percentage of patients presenting with autoimmune thyroid disease. It consists of a subacute, relapsing-remitting, steroid-responsive encephalopathy characterised by protean neurologic and neuropsychiatric symptoms, diffuse electroencephalographic abnormalities and increased titres of antithyroid antibodies in serum and/or in cerebrospinal fluid. Most of the cases presenting this neurologic complication are affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis or, less frequently, by other autoimmune thyroid diseases, chiefly Graves' disease. The pathogenesis of this encephalopathy is still unknown and largely debated, because of extremely varied clinical presentation, possibly referable to different aetiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms, as confirmed by the two clinical cases we report in this paper. Autoimmune aetiology is, however, very likely in view of the well established favourable response to corticosteroid administration. Both vasculitis and autoimmunity directed against common brain-thyroid antigens represent the most probable aetiologic pathways. Clinical manifestations include consciousness changes, neurologic diffuse or focal signs, headache, and altered cognitive function. Although unspecific, cerebral oedema has also been described. Cerebrospinal fluid examination often discloses an inflammatory process, with a mild increase in protein content and occasionally in lymphocyte count. In this review, clinical criteria for the diagnosis of defined, probable, or possible encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease are suggested. Corticosteroid therapy currently allows us to obtain rapid remission of disease symptoms, but adverse outcomes as well as spontaneous remissions have also been reported.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
1828-0447
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
1
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
15-23
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
Clinical and diagnostic aspects of encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (or Hashimoto's encephalopathy).
pubmed:affiliation
Medical Clinic 3, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Review, Case Reports