Spontaneous recovery from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with non-active sarcoidosis

Int J Infect Dis. 2010 Sep:14 Suppl 3:e313-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2010.02.2257. Epub 2010 Jul 4.

Abstract

We report the case of a 50-year-old female patient with non-active sarcoidosis and no kind of immunosuppression, admitted to our hospital because of increasing confusion and focal neurological deficits. Initially a tumor, herpes encephalitis, or neurosarcoidosis were suspected, but surprisingly biopsy revealed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, additionally confirmed by JC-positive PCR in cerebrospinal fluid. Cases of sarcoidosis and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy have been reported before. This is the first case of a patient with no sign of active sarcoidosis and without immunosuppressive therapy who recovered spontaneously with a follow-up time of nearly 3 years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / complications*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / diagnosis
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / drug therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Olanzapine
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Sarcoidosis / complications*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Olanzapine