Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease mimicking limbic encephalitis as a cause of rapid neurological deterioration

The patient's rapidly deteriorating condition over 6 weeks was thought to be too rapid for sCJD, and the patient was treated initially as an LS. However, post-mortem biopsy findings confirmed CJD. Asymmetric periodic discharges on EEG, asymmetric neuroimaging changes and the manifestation of psychiatric symptoms should not preclude the diagnosis of sCJD. This case highlights the importance of recognising the potential rapid deterioration of sCJD, which would alert clinicians to earlier diagnosis and management.