Clinical Problem-Solving: Fever and Rapidly Progressive Weakness in an Immunocompromised Patient

Neurohospitalist. 2018 Oct;8(4):194-198. doi: 10.1177/1941874418754966. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Abstract

Here we report the challenging case of a 41-year-old man with HIV complicated by AIDS and a history of prior neurologic injury from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy who presented with headache, fevers, lower extremity weakness, hyperreflexic upper extremities, and diminished lower extremity reflexes. We review the clinical decision-making and differential diagnosis for this presentation as the physical examination evolved and diagnostic testing changed over time.

Keywords: HIV; West Nile virus; spinal cord diseases.