Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting as acute cognitive decline in an elderly male

Hashimoto’s encephalopathy(HE)is a rare form of reversible encephalopathy characterized by the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies in serum and/or cerebrospinal fl uid.The syndrome is more common in women and the presentation varies considerably.Here,we report a case of an elderly male with a history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis,presenting with acute cognitive decline.A diagnosis of HE was established based on the presence of antithyroid antibodies in the serum,diffuse electroencephalography changes and lack of an alternative explanation.The patient promptly responded to steroids and was discharged on the 8th day of admission.We suggest that an assessment of thyroid antibodies should be included in anyone presenting with acute cognitive decline in the absence of alternative explanation.

Vitamin D, selenium in type 2 diabetes and Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Is it effective?

The study by Feng et al,explores treatment approaches for these coexisting conditions.It emphasizes the potential advantages of selenium and vitamin D supplementation but also raises methodological and patient selection concerns.Findings indicate a complex interplay between interventions and disease markers,prompting the need for further research.Despite limitations,the study offers valuable insights into managing the intricate relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.The authors'contributions shed light on potential treatment avenues,although careful consideration of study design and patient characteristics is warranted for future investigations in this domain.

Vitamin D and selenium for type 2 diabetes mellitus with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis:Dosage and duration insights

This letter discusses the publication by Feng et al.Iodine,selenium,and vitamin D are closely associated with thyroid hormone production in humans;however,the efficacy of selenium and vitamin D supplementation for type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis(HT)remains controversial.In the retrospective study we discuss herein,the authors highlighted significant improvements in thyroid function,thyroid antibodies,blood glucose,and blood lipid in T2DM patients with HT following addition of vitamin D and selenium to their antidiabetic regimens,underscoring the value of these supplements.Our team is currently engaged in research exploring the relationship between micronutrients and HT,and we have obtained invaluable insights from the aforementioned study.Based on this research and current literature,we recommend a regimen of 4000 IU/day of vitamin D and 100-200μg/day of selenium for over three months to six months for patients with HT,particularly for those with concurrent T2DM.

Pituitary-Thyroid Dysfunction in a Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy Patient

The pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy has not been clearly elucidated and involvement of autoimmune damage has been proposed. We report a 23-year-old man who was emergently hospitalized for paroxysmal syncope and involuntary tremor with normal physical examination except for low heart rate. The patient was characterized by neurological symptoms, mild hypothyroidism, enlarged pituitary gland and extremely elevated thyrotropin, which all were reversed with levothyroxine alone. The case indicated that the pituitary-thyroid dysfunction may play a role in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, hence, evaluation of pituitary gland should be recommended in diagnosis and treatment of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Encephalopathy

Although very rare, the literature describes cases of Hashimoto encephalopathy attesting to its occurrence. Affected patients present with seizures, stroke-like episodes, transient focal and global neurological deficits, and a variety of neuropsychiatric disturbance from dementia to hallucinations and psychosis. The encephalopathy evolves with concomitantly elevated anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, independent from hormonal thyroid function setting it apart from thyrotoxicosis and myxedema. A new patient reported with Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, in whom neurocognitive impairment and stroke-like onset of hemiparesis and hemiparkinsonism correlated with brain magnetic resonance imaging fused with positron emission tomography.

Hashimoto Encephalopathy: Impact of Concussion

Patients with Hashimoto encephalitis may present with seizures, stroke-like episodes, transient focal and global neurological deficits, and a variety of neuropsychiatric disturbances. The encephalopathy evolves with elevated anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, independent of hormonal thyroid function. A teenager experienced repeated concussions antedating onset of Hashimoto encephalopathy. Neuroradiological studies showed overlapping areas of altered brain metabolism and vascular perfusion in the hippocampus, deemed most vulnerable in autoimmune encephalopathy. Concussive brain injury may be a contributing factor in the development of encephalopathy due to its capacity to alter the blood-brain barrier.

Convulsive Seizures Revealing Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy

Introduction: Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE) is an autoimmune disease with different neurological and psychiatric characteristics. It is associated with increased thyroperoxidase autoantibodies. The diagnosis of HE is clinical and involves the detection of serum thyroperoxidase (TPO) antibodies and the exclusion of other etiologies. A clinical response to corticosteroid therapy supports the diagnosis. We report a case of HE revealed by convulsive seizures and cognitive and behavioral disorders. Observation: She is a 7-year-old child followed in a neurology unit for convulsive seizures for one year. Clinical examination performed in the endocrinology unit later found tachycardia without goiter, behavioral disorders, difficulties to concentrate as well as psychomotor agitation. Biological work up revealed subclinical hypothyroidism, positive anti-TPO antibodies with normal thyroid ultrasound and brain MRI. The cerebrospinal fluid was clear, normotensive and absence of pleocytosis. The sleep-wake electroencephalogram was well organized for her age with a paroxysmal discharge in the left parieto-temporal region. Based on these clinical, biological and morphological data, the diagnosis of HE was retained. Corticosteroid therapy with prednisone at 1 mg/kg/day was initiated for 6 weeks while reducing the dose progressively. There was a good clinical and biological progress under treatment. Conclusion: Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is a rare, but probably unrecognized entity. Over the past decades, knowledge about thyroid, brain, immunity interactions has increased. This indicates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach of endocrinologists, neurologists, psychiatrists and pediatricians for early recognition and treatment.

儿童Hashimoto脑病临床特征分析与随访研究

目的探讨儿童Hashimoto脑病(HE)的临床特点。方法回顾分析4例HE患儿的临床资料。结果 4例患儿均为学龄期,3例为女童,既往均体健。临床主要表现为痫性发作3例,精神症状2例,意识障碍2例,卒中样表现、记忆力下降及睡眠减少各1例。4例患儿脑电图背景活动均减慢,3例头颅MRI异常;4例患儿血清甲状腺抗体均明显升高,其中2例临床症状消失后甲状腺抗体恢复正常,另外2例明显降低,但未完全恢复正常;4例患儿中仅1例甲状腺功能异常。4例均对糖皮质激素治疗反应良好,其中1例自行停药后复发,继续原药治疗仍有效。结论儿童HE极少见,当出现其他疾病难以解释的痫性发作、精神异常、认知损害、运动障碍、意识障碍等时,应考虑到HE,血清甲状腺抗体增高为诊断必要条件。

Coexistence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in a context of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Papillary thyroid cancer(PTC)represents 80%-85%of thyroid cancer and its prevalence has been rising in the last decades.Primary thyroid lymphoma(PTL)accounts for 3%of extranodal lymphomas and about 5%of thyroid malignancies,having a prevalence of one or two cases per million people.Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue lymphoma represents approximately30%of PTL.Both entities have an indolent course and a very good prognosis.Diagnosis is made by ultrasound and fine needle aspiration(FNA)or surgery specimen pathology.They have also been associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis(HT),but pathogenesis and its links remains to be known.Treatment remains controversial and surgery is generally accepted in cases of disease limited to thyroid,as the present.Patients with thyroid nodules should be observed and followed.If there is an enlargement by ultrasound or clinical symptoms,FNA should be performed promptly.Patients with HT deserve additional surveillance,since this condition is associated with both PTC and PTL.In this case,the management with surgery and radioactive iodine ablation therapy was effective for both entities.Patients with thyroid nodules should be properly evaluated with ultrasound and thyroid function tests.If there is an enlargement of the neck,reported by symptoms or ultrasound,it requires further investigation.HT is associated to both PTC and PTL so if the enlargement of the nodules is on this context additional tests such as FNA should be performed.In this case,the patient was managed with surgery and radioactive iodine ablation therapy and it was effective for both entities.

Ascher syndrome: a rare case of blepharochalasis combined with double lip and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Dear Editor,I am Dr. Yao Fu, from the Department of Ophthalmology,Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. I write to present a rare case of Ascher syndrome.Ascher syndrome was described first in 1920, presenting as a combination of blepharochalasis, double lip, and non-toxic goitre(1)It is considered to be a rare, sporadic.

Clinical scenarios for the use of S100β as a marker of hepatic encephalopathy

AIM: To evaluate the association between serum concentrations of S100β in patients with cirrhosis and the presence of low grade hepatic encephalopathy (HE).METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The population was categorized into four groups healthy subjects, cirrhosis without HE, cirrhosis with covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) and cirrhosis with overt HE. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann Whitney’s U with Bonferroni adjustment Spearman correlations and area under the ROC were used as appropriate.RESULTS: A total of 61 subjects were included, 46 cirrhotic patients and 15 healthy volunteers. S100β values were different among all groups, and differences remained significant between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001), and also between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.016), but not between groups 3 and 4. In cirrhotic patients with HE S100β was higher than in patients without HE [0.18 (0.14-0.28) ng/mL vs 0.11 (0.06-0.14) ng/mL, P < 0.001]. There was a close correlation between serum concentrations of S100β and psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score in patients with cirrhosis without HE compared to the patients with cirrhosis with CHE (r = -0.413, P = 0.019). ROC curve analysis yielded > 0.13 ng/mL as the best cutoff value of S100β for the diagnosis of HE (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 63.6%).CONCLUSION: Serum concentrations of S100β are higher in patients with cirrhosis than in healthy volunteers, and are further increased in the presence of hepatic encephalopathy. The results suggest that serum biomarkers such as S100β could help in the correct characterization of incipient stages of HE.

Coeliac disease in Dutch patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and vice versa

AIM: To define the association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and coeliac disease in Dutch patients. METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis underwent coeliac serological tests (antigliadins, transglutaminase and endomysium antibodies) and HLA-DQ typing. Small intestinal biopsy was performed when any of coeliac serological tests was positive. On the other hand, 184 patients with coeliac disease were subjected to thyroid biochemical (thyroid stimulating hormone and free thyroxine) and thyroid serological tests (thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies). RESULTS: Of 104 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, sixteen (15%) were positive for coeliac serology and five patients with documented villous atrophy were diagnosed with coeliac disease (4.8%; 95% CI 0.7-8.9). HLA-DQ2 (and/or -DQ8) was present in all the five and 53 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (50%; 95% CI 43-62). Of 184 patients with coeliac disease, 39 (21%) were positive for thyroid serology. Based on thyroid biochemistry, the 39 patients were subclassified into euthyroidism in ten (5%; 95% CI 2-9), subclinicalhypothyroidism in seven (3.8%; 95% CI 1.8-7.6), and overt hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) in 22 (12%; 95% CI 8-16). Moreover, four patients with coeliac disease had Graves’ disease (2%; 95% CI 0.8-5) and one patient had post-partum thyroiditis. CONCLUSION: The data from a Dutch population confirm the association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and coeliac disease. Screening patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis for coeliac disease and vice versa is recom- mended.

血清S-100B蛋白、可溶性凝集素样氧化低密度脂蛋白受体-1、胶质纤维酸性蛋白检测在新生儿缺血缺氧性脑病病情严重程度中的诊断价值

目的:探讨血清S-100B蛋白、可溶性凝集素样氧化低密度脂蛋白受体-1(sLOX-1)、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)与新生儿缺血缺氧性脑病(HIE)病情严重程度的关系。方法:选择80例HIE患儿作为观察组,另选择90例健康新生儿作为对照组,收集所有患儿一般资料,并检测两组患儿血清S-100B蛋白、sLOX-1、GFAP水平,分析HIE患儿血清S-100B蛋白、sLOX-1、GFAP与病情严重程度的相关性及预后不良的影响因素。结果:对照组血清S-100B蛋白、sLOX-1、GFAP水平低于观察组(均P<0.05)。重度组血清S-100B蛋白、sLOX-1、GFAP水平高于中度组、轻度组和对照组(均P<0.05)。Pearson相关分析显示,疾病严重程度与HIE患儿血清S-100B蛋白、sLOX-1、GFAP水平呈正相关(均P<0.001)。随访预后良好患儿59例,预后不良21例,经多因素Logistic回归分析显示,产程异常、病情重度、S-100B蛋白、sLOX-1、GFAP为影响HIE患儿预后的危险因素(均P<0.05)。结论:HIE患儿病情严重程度和预后与血清S-100B蛋白、sLOX-1、GFAP水平有关,监测其水平变化有利于临床早期完善干预方案改善预后。

Magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of brain involvement in alcoholic and nonalcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy

AIMTo present the typical and atypical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of alcoholic and non-alcoholic Wernicke’s encephalopathy.METHODSThis study included 7 patients with Wernicke’s encephalopathy (2 men, 5 women; mean age, 52.3 years) that underwent brain MR examination between January 2012 and March 2016 in a single institution. Three patients were alcoholics and 4 patients were non-alcoholics. MR protocol included a T2-weighted sequence, a fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence, a diffusion-weighted sequence (b = 0 and 1000 s/mm2), and a contrast-enhanced MR sequence. All MR images were retrospectively reviewed at baseline and follow-up by two radiologists.RESULTSAll patients with Wernicke’s encephalopathy had bilateral areas showing high signal intensity on both T2-weighted and FLAIR MR images in the typical sites (i.e., the periaqueductal region and the tectal plate). Signal intensity abnormalities in the atypical sites (i.e., the cerebellum and the cerebellar vermis) were seen in 4 patients, all of which had no history of alcohol abuse. Six patients had areas with restricted diffusion in the typical and atypical sites. Four patients had areas showing contrast-enhancement in the typical and atypical sites. Follow-up MR imaging within 6 mo after therapy (intravenous administration of thiamine) was performed in 4 patients, and demonstrated a complete resolution of all the signal intensities abnormalities previously seen in all patients.CONCLUSIONMR imaging is valuable in the diagnosis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy particularly in patients presenting with atypical clinical symptoms, or with no history of alcohol abuse.

Hepatic encephalopathy as a complication of liver disease

INTRODUCTIONHepatic encephalopathy ( HE) is a frequent complication of chronic liver disease .It is defined as a characteristic functional and reversible alteration of the mental state ,due to impaired liver function and / or increased portosystemic shunting .

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following sepsis in a Crohn's disease patient: A case report

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)is a clinico-ragiological syndrome presenting with neurological symptoms and characteristic radiologic findings.PRES occurs in the setting of various clinical conditions and requires prompt management of the causative factor for a full recovery.This is a case report of a Crohn’s disease patient who developed PRES syndrome during a complicated post-operative course.In the presence of multiple causative factors,sepsis was considered as the predominant one.After prompt management,the patient recovered with no permanent neurological damage.

Psychogenic anorexia and non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy: Complete clinicoradiological recovery with thiamine

Rationale:Prolonged undernutrition may arise out of depression and lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy if timely diagnosis and intervention are missed.Wernicke's encephalopathy is potentially treatable,and appropriate treatment may revert clinical depression and cognitive dysfunction to some extent.Patient's concern:A 69-year-old female who had been taking escitalopram for one year developed tremor,ophthalmoplegia,ataxia,progressive cognitive decline,and convulsions.Diagnosis:Non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy and hypomagnesemia due to psychogenic anorexia.Interventions:High dose intravenous thiamine and magnesium were supplemented.Outcomes:The patient showed remarkable improvement in neurological complications and even in depressive features.Lessons:Wernicke's encephalopathy should not be ignored in the treatment of depression.

Treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis traditional Chinese and western medicine:A review

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a common Autoimmune disease,and clinical related research has made great progress.This article summarizes the clinical and experimental studies on Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in recent years,summarizes in five aspects from its western medicine pathogenesis(Genetics,Environment,Gender,Immunity,mi RNA),traditional Chinese medicine etiology and pathogenesis,western medicine treatment(Glucocorticoid therapy,Chemokine receptor antagonist therapy,Nutrition therapy),traditional Chinese medicine therapy(Treatment by type,Treatment by stages,Treatment by liver,Treatment by spleen and kidney,Treatment by gas,blood,phlegm and blood stasis,Prescription of experience,Characteristic theory of physician and Characteristic therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine)and combine traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment,and puts forward the integrated treatment of traditional Chinese and western medicine is the general trend of future diagnosis and treatment of Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Efficacy of Xiaojin Capsules Combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules on 120 Cases of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with Abnormal Thyroid Function

[Objectives]To explore the efficacy of Xiaojin Capsules combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules in the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)with abnormal thyroid function.[Methods]A total of 180 HT patients who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University and Henan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into the observation group(n=120)and the control group(n=60)in at a tratio of 2∶1 ratio according to their visiting time.The observation group was treated with Xiaojin Capsules(oral,5 capsules each time,twice a day for 12 weeks)and Selenium Yeast Capsules(oral,1 capsule each time,twice a day for 12 weeks).The control group was treated with only Selenium Yeast Capsules(oral,1 capsule each time,twice a day for 12 weeks).[Results]The difference in the levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab),thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb),serum free triiodothyronine(FT_(3)),serum free thyroxine(FT_(4)),and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)between the observation group and control group was statistically significant(P<0.05).The diameters of thyroid between the observation group and the control group before,during and after treatment were significantly different(P<0.05).The total effective rate of the observation group was 82.5%(99/120),which was significantly higher than 56.67%(34/60)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The cure rate(22.50%)in the observation group was significantly higher than the control group(3.33%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The ineffective rate of the observation group was 17.50%,which was significantly lower than that of the control group(40.00%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The markedly effective rate of the observation group was 40.83%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(31.67%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The effective rate in the observation group was 191%,and the effective rate in the control group was 21.67%,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).[Conclusions]Xiaojin Capsules combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules in the treatment of HT can eliminate or alleviate the clinical symptoms and signs,significantly reduce the levels of TPO-Ab and TGAb in serum,restore thyroid function,improve thyroid shape and structure in the treatment of HT,and the clinical effect is satisfactory.

Evaluation of Serum Trace Elements and Vitamin Levels in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Single Centre Experience from Turkey

Aim: To determine levels of serum trace elements and vitamins, and to find out possible correlations between these elements and vitamins with thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibody levels in patients having Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Methods: The study included 51 premenauposal women with untreated HT, aged 18 to 56 years without any known chronic diseases or chronic medicine usage, and 27 healthy premenauposal women aged 19 to 42 years old. Trace elements (selenium, zinc, copper, iron levels) and vitamins [A, E, B12, 25-OH-D, 1,25(OH)2D and folic acid levels] were evaluated in patient and control groups. Results: Consequently, serum trace elements and vitamin B12 levels did not significantly differ in patients with HT and control group. Thyroid functioning tests and autoantibody levels did not show any correlation with the levels of trace elements, vitamin A, vitamin E and 25-OH vitamin D. A correlation was detected between vitamin B12 and Anti thyroid peroxidase levels. Conclusion: The negative correlation between vitamin B12 and Anti thyroid peroxidase levels may demonstrate the necessity to screen the patients with HT for atrophic gastritis. We believe that more comprehensive studies with larger sample sizes are needed in which patients are randomized according to their nutritional status.