Pulvinar sign on MRI images in variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Abstract

A non-invasive investigation that gave a reliable sign of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) would help in the diagnosis of this disorder and reduce the need for tonsillar biopsy or other open procedures with all their attendant safety risks and difficulties in the disposal of hazardous tissues. 1 Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: safe working and the prevention of infection. Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. HMSO, Norwich1998 Google Scholar Prompted by the lack of such a test, Martin Zeidler and colleagues looked at the posterior thalamus (pulvinar) on magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) scans to find out whether changes in this area were a potential diagnostic aid. Since the number of people incubating or at risk of vCJD is still unknown, 2 Cousens SN Vynnyeky I Zeidler M Will RG Smith PG Predicting the CJD epidemic in humans. Nature. 1997; 385: 197-198 Crossref PubMed Scopus (189) Google Scholar such a study is timely and appropriate. The pulvinar sign on magnetic resonance imaging in variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseIn the appropriate clinical context the MRI identification of bilaterally increased pulvinar signal is a useful non-invasive test for the diagnosis of vCJD. Full-Text PDF