An Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis-Like Illness in the Elderly: Neuroimaging and Neuropathology Findings.

TitleAn Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis-Like Illness in the Elderly: Neuroimaging and Neuropathology Findings.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsKaunzner UW, Salamon E, Pentsova E, Rosenblum M, Karimi S, Nealon N, Lavi E, Jamieson DG
JournalJ Neuroimaging
Volume27
Issue3
Pagination306-311
Date Published2017 May
ISSN1552-6569
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that classically occurs in children and adolescents. It characteristically presents with acute inflammation, resulting in demyelination, often following an infectious disease. ADEM has been described in adult patients, but the incidence in the adult and especially elderly population is low.

CASES: We describe five older adults (age 57 to 85) who presented with acute neurological symptoms. Three patients presented with an infectious illness preceding the event, 4 patients were encephalopathic, and oligoclonal bands (OCBs) were negative in all tested cases. The clinical scenario and imaging studies suggested alternative diagnoses, such as metastasis, primary CNS tumor, or stroke. Two patients had contrast enhancing lesions, two other patients had lesions with restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging. Neuropathologic diagnostic from biopsy or autopsy was eventually conclusive, showing perivascular zones of myelin loss with relative axonal sparing in all five cases.

CONCLUSION: Each of these patients was found to have pathological findings of acute demyelination on tissue diagnosis, suggesting ADEM or ADEM-like disease. The initial presentation and imaging was pointing toward other diagnoses. Broad differential diagnosis is important, especially for older patients, and pathological proof might be warranted for a conclusive diagnosis.

DOI10.1111/jon.12409
Alternate JournalJ Neuroimaging
PubMed ID27896893
Grant ListP30 CA008748 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States

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