Etymed
leukoencephalopathy
Definition
A neurological disorder characterized by white matter lesions in the brain, often involving demyelination
Clinical context
A 35-year-old woman presents with progressive weakness and gait instability over 6 months. MRI brain shows bilateral white matter hyperintensities in the frontal and parietal lobes. She has no sensory deficits or cranial nerve palsies. The most likely diagnosis is leukoencephalopathy with demyelination.
Mnemonic
LEUKO = white matter lesions; ENCEPHALO = brain white matter disease
These morphemes also unlock…
- leuk/o — white
- encephal/o — brain
- -pathy — disease; suffering