Sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob disease presenting with cerebral atrophy following traumatic brain injury mimicking hydrocephalus a case report and literature review

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob disease presenting with cerebral atrophy after traumatic brain injury, highlighting diagnostic challenges and reviewing relevant literature to improve differential diagnosis.

Contribution

It provides a detailed case report and literature review on sCJD presenting with cerebral atrophy post-TBI, emphasizing diagnostic considerations and differential diagnosis.

Findings

CSF 14-3-3 and tau proteins confirmed sCJD diagnosis

MRI and EEG supported clinical diagnosis

Case highlights importance of distinguishing CJD from other conditions

Abstract

Introduction Sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob disease sCJD is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease without effective treatment that usually results in death within one year. The recently applied methods have improved the accuracy of the disease diagnosis and the specific radiological findings provide the necessary information for differential diagnosis. Research question The research is aimed to provide a different perspective on the development of CJD and associated literature review. Materials and methods The study presents a case who presented cognitive deficits, gait instability, and urinary and fecal incontinence suffered from traumatic brain injury eight months ago before admission with cerebral ventricle dilation on CT images. Furthermore, studies describe relevant cases are also included. Results The patients symptoms got deteriorated. Further examinations, including 14-3-3 and tau proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid CSF, MRI, and EEG, confirmed the patients diagnosis of sCJD. He returned to the local hospital for the conservative treatment without effective medical intervention. Conclusion This case illustrates the diagnostic process of CJD and underscores the importance of distinguishing rare disorders from common conditions to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the disease.