|
A 34 year-old HIV positive man had declined anti-viral treatment. Over the course of 3 weeks, he developed progressive ataxia affecting the left side. |
| Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML):
Flair axial MRIs
at the level of the brainstem and cerebellum. Note the large
abnormal area in the left middle cerebellar peduncle and deep left cerebellum. There
is no mass effect on the nearby 4th ventricle. This lesion is confined to the
white matter.
PML is a demyelinating disease that results from an opportunistic infection due to the JC virus (named after the initials of the patient in whom it was first discovered), and occurs in AIDS and other immunocompromised patients. It is recognized on imaging studies as a progressive, subacute process affecting the white matter without enhancement or mass effect. There is no known cure. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. |
Revised
11/29/06
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston