Reversible white matter alterations in encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease

Abstract

Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease is an underdiagnosed clinical condition. No specific disease marker exists and to date, imaging techniques have not proven useful. The disease is characterized by seizures, stroke-like events and psychiatric symptoms. Here, we present the report of a patient with encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in which a reversible white matter disorder was detected by MR imaging. This encephalopathy was alleviated and later disappeared following corticosteroid treatment. We conclude that the white matter is the principal brain tissue involved in this condition and that brain MRI studies may prove to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of patients suffering this treatable disease.