PANENCEPHALITIC CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB-DISEASE - UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING AND PROTON MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY

We present serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans on a biopsy-v erified case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The initial MRI scan demonstrated increased T2 signal-intensity within the basal ganglia an d thalami. Subsequent MRI scans demonstrated a thin cortex, increased T2 signals diffusely within the white matter including U-fibers, and h ypointense T2 signals within the basal ganglia, and thalami. Proton ma gnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1-MRS) study showed an absence of cre atine, choline and N-acetylaspartate signals. By these characteristic findings, serial MRI and MRS studies may be helpful in differentiating CJD from other dementing illnesses.