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Case Reports
. 2021 Nov 16;15(1):561.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-021-03089-6.

Uncertainty of leukoencephalopathies: a case report

Mohamed A Taha  1 , T Scott Diesing  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Uncertainty of leukoencephalopathies: a case report

Mohamed A Taha et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: Adult-onset leukoencephalopathies are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by white matter abnormalities. Leukoencephalopathy is usually encountered in children, but here we report a case with adult-onset leukoencephalopathy. Also, we explore this concept of uncertainty in medicine by discussing the approach to this case that has multiple possible etiologies.

Case presentation: A 70-year-old Caucasian male presented with a subacute onset of cognitive impairment and mood disturbances associated with behavioral changes. Neuroimaging demonstrated high-intensity lesions involving cerebral white matter. Progressive dementia and cognitive decline followed. Multiple possible etiologies are discussed based on the patient presentation and risk factors.

Conclusion: Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy can become a diagnostic challenge. Certain approaches need to be developed to explore the uncertainty of such conditions and to improve diagnostic yield.

Keywords: Adult-onset leukoencephalopathies; Medical uncertainty; Rapidly progressive dementia; White matter lesions.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
FLAIR signal brain MRI showing extensive subcortical white matter hyperintense lesions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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