Posterior cortical atrophy

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fairly rapid decrease in cognitive function with difficulty in performing visual tasks.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
mri

Bilateral volume loss is primarily seen in the parietal lobes. The temporal lobes, including mesial temporal structures, are relatively spared. No abnormal diffusion restriction or susceptibility-induced signal loss. 

PET with neurostat

Nuclear medicine

PET with Neurostat maps demonstrate reduced activity/uptake in the parietal lobes best appreciated on the medial interhemispheric projection on neurostat. 

SPECT with neurostat

Nuclear medicine

SPECT with Neurostat maps demonstrate reduced activity/uptake in the parietal lobes best appreciated on the medial interhemispheric projection on neurostat. 

Case Discussion

The patient also had an amyloid PET (not shown) that was strongly positive, supportive of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Posterior variant is also clinically supported by primarily visuospatial association and parietal deficits, Balint's and Gerstmann's syndrome, etc.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.