Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease presenting with cerebral atrophy following traumatic brain injury mimicking hydrocephalus: A case report

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which no effective treatment exists, typically resulting in death within 1 year. Nowadays, medical examinations have enhanced the accuracy and sensitivity of disease diagnosis. This study reports a patient who exhibited cognitive deficits, gait instability, and urinary incontinence 8 months after a traumatic brain injury. Admission computed tomography images revealed cerebral ventricle dilation. Further diagnostic evaluations, including magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis for 14-3-3 protein, and electroencephalogram, led to the diagnosis of probable sCJD with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The patient returned to the local hospital for conservative treatment without effective medical intervention. This case illustrates the diagnostic process for CJD and underscores the importance of differentiating rare disorders from common diseases to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management.