[Variable manifestations of Hashimoto's encephalopathy].

Two women (aged 12 and 32 years) and a man aged 40 years presented with fluctuating confusional states, depressed level of consciousness, seizures and tremor or myoclonic activity; hallucinations occurred in two of them. Laboratory examinations showed antibodies to thyroid peroxidase in serum, elevated protein levels in CSF and normal cerebral MRI. The EEG findings were indicative of diffuse encephalopathy. Hashimoto's encephalopathy was diagnosed. One patient improved dramatically on prednisone therapy, the other two patients recovered spontaneously. Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a subacute, fluctuating encephalopathy with combinations of impaired level of consciousness, involuntary movements, and epileptic or psychiatric symptoms. It occurs in patients with antithyroid antibodies. It is important to consider this diagnosis, since some patients may benefit from treatment with corticosteroids.