Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A rare disorder − a common malingerer

Abstract

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a human prion, rare neurodegenerative disorder of unknown etiology that causes rapidly progressive dementia. Diagnosing CJD is difficult due to nonspecific clinical features and low suspicion. Rapidly progressive dementia accompanied with quick involuntary muscle jerking, visual disturbances, cerebellar and pyramidal/extrapyramidal signs are characteristic feature. Here we present a 62-year-old male with decreased appetite, appendicular rigidity and symmetrical progressive loss of vision since 1 month. EEG showed signs of 0.5–1.0 Hz periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWC) and MRI showed diffuse cerebral atrophy with ventriculomegaly. High level of suspicion and molecular diagnostic techniques forms the mainstay for its early identification.