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Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is classified within the group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). It is a rapidly progressive illness that affects mental functions. The average age of onset is 50 years. Various tests can help orient the clinical diagnosis, but the confirmatory test is still the post mortem analysis. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed as suffering from CJD, at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico (NINN). An observational, descriptive and transversal study was conducted. We collected information concerning these cases from the Departments of Epidemiology and Pathology, as well as the clinical charts of the patients with a diagnosis of CJD. Fifteen cases were registered of which three CJD cases were definite, five probable cases were identified, and seven were possible. The average age of the patients was 49 years. Two definite cases were female and one was male. It is important to improve the systems for surveillance of this type of disease and, furthermore, to permit greater accessibility to laboratories where the procedures necessary for supporting diagnosis can be followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The new procedures and the radiological studies have reduced the uncertainty of physicians diagnosis. Imaging studies through Magnetic Resonance provide the information of some organs, about their functions and images in various levels. The introduction of imaging studies such as the Magnetic Resonance has increased the evaluation cost of patients. Sometimes, physicians use indiscriminately these studies. Material and methods: In this study we evaluate relevancy and prevalence of prescribing Magnetic Resonance studies in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City. The relevancy of the number of studies requested by doctors, according to the decease was 84%. Results: The 91% of the requested studies was for the area of External Consultation and the remaining for the area of hospitalization. Initial clinical diagnosis coincided with the result reported in the MRI study 79.5%. Conclusion: In general, this study didn't show an indiscriminate use of Magnetic Resonance studies on behalf of doctors, nevertheless, it is necessary to evaluate as a routine the clinical diagnosis and the definitive diagnosis agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context.--When making a diagnosis, the main purpose of clinicians should not be to achieve certainty, but to decrease diagnostic uncertainty in order to make optimal therapeutic decisions. Diagnostic concordance is an essential characteristic if a measurement is to be considered scientific. In the case of tumors of the nervous system (TNS), one of the most accurate diagnostic tests is magnetic resonance imaging. However, histopathologic analyses are essential, because they refine the diagnosis, benefit the patient, and improve our understanding of the disease. By determining the clinical-histopathologic correlation of TNS in one of the main neurologic centers in Mexico, we sought to project reliable morbidity and/or mortality statistics. Objective.--To assess clinical and histopathologic diagnostic agreement in cases involving TNS admitted to the Manuel Velasco Suárez National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery between 1990 and 1999. Design.--Cross-sectional diagnostic concordance study, including all clinical hospital records of patients with histopathologically diagnosed TNS, classified according to World Health Organization criteria. Results.--Among 2041 TNS cases, the 3 most frequent types were those affecting the neuroepithelial tissue (32.9%), tumors of the sellar region (29.2%), and tumors of the meninges (25.6%). We found that, overall, clinical-histopathologic concordance for these 3 categories was substantial and statistically significant. Conclusions.--Tumors of the nervous system constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. In the present study, clinical diagnoses substantially agreed with pathologic diagnoses. The a priori clinical diagnosis allowed prompt treatment even before diagnostic confirmation by histopathologic analysis, which is the best way to confirm, clarify, and correct a diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]