BACKGROUND: Although the diagnosis of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) is straightforward in fully developed cases, a definitive diagnosis can be difficult early in the course of the illness. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal abnormalities, and recently, diffusion-weighted MRI abnormalities, have been described in patients with CJD, suggesting the utility of MRI in the early recognition of CJD. OBJECTIVE: To correlate diffusion-weighted MRI signal abnormalities with neuropathologic changes in CJD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion-weighted MRI and neuropathologic changes of 2 patients with autopsy-proven CJD were examined in a blinded fashion by a neuroradiologist and a neuropathologist. RESULTS: Areas of bright signal on diffusion-weighted MRI correlated with a higher degree of spongiform changes. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted MRI in CJD demonstrates specific-signal abnormalities that correlate well with areas of the most severe and characteristic neuropathologic changes.
BACKGROUND: Although the diagnosis of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) is straightforward in fully developed cases, a definitive diagnosis can be difficult early in the course of the illness. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal abnormalities, and recently, diffusion-weighted MRI abnormalities, have been described in patients with CJD, suggesting the utility of MRI in the early recognition of CJD. OBJECTIVE: To correlate diffusion-weighted MRI signal abnormalities with neuropathologic changes in CJD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion-weighted MRI and neuropathologic changes of 2 patients with autopsy-proven CJD were examined in a blinded fashion by a neuroradiologist and a neuropathologist. RESULTS: Areas of bright signal on diffusion-weighted MRI correlated with a higher degree of spongiform changes. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted MRI in CJD demonstrates specific-signal abnormalities that correlate well with areas of the most severe and characteristic neuropathologic changes.
Authors: H J Tschampa; K Kallenberg; H A Kretzschmar; B Meissner; M Knauth; H Urbach; I Zerr Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2007 Jun-Jul Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Michael D Geschwind; Christopher A Potter; Mamta Sattavat; Paul A Garcia; Howard J Rosen; Bruce L Miller; Stephen J DeArmond Journal: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Date: 2009 Jan-Mar Impact factor: 2.703
Authors: H Hyare; J Thornton; J Stevens; S Mead; P Rudge; J Collinge; T A Yousry; H R Jäger Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2009-12-10 Impact factor: 3.825