Diffusion - weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. One - case report.

The diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is extremely difficult. Diffusion-weighted imaging has been shown to be the most sensitive technique for the detection of signal alterations in sCJD patients. The present study analyzed the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence in the early stage of sCJD in one female patient and correlated the clinical symptoms during disease course and magnetic resonance manifestations. Thalamic and basal ganglia hyperintensities were observed on magnetic resonance images in a very early stage, i.e., when the clinical typical manifestations of the disease were not present. With the progression of the disease, cortical and basal ganglia hyperintensities were observed on magnetic resonance images, showing an obvious cerebral atrophy. These findings suggest that diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence are helpful in diagnosing sCJD.