Case 43-1977

Presentation of Case A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of progressive dementia and a gait disorder. She was well and of normal mental status until six months previously, when she fainted. On admission to another hospital examination disclosed severe facial contusions. The results of routine laboratory studies, an electroencephalogram (EEG) and a radionuclide brain scan were normal. Monitoring of the electrocardiogram for 24 hours disclosed no important cardiac arrhythmias. Diazepam was prescribed, and she was discharged. Three months before entry she complained of anosmia, which appeared to improve. Her husband observed that she had difficulty in ambulation, . . .