Rasmussen encephalitis: epilepsia partialis continua secondary to chronic encephalitis.
Rasmussen encephalitis is a disease consisting of chronic encephalitis with progressive neurologic deficits and focal intractable seizure activity. The etiology is unknown, but pathologic specimens revealed changes consistent with viral encephalitis. Even though neuro-imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, offer the prospect of specific, presurgical diagnostic criteria, the initial diagnosis usually is made on a clinical basis. Treatment modalities, including a wide variety of antiepileptic drug therapies and surgical interventions, may result in significant physical and mental impairments. We summarize the clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and different treatment protocols in a patient with this rare and debilitating disorder.
Zupanc
M L
ML
Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Handler
E G
EG
Levine
R L
RL
Jahn
T W
TW
ZuRhein
G M
GM
Rozental
J M
JM
Nickles
R J
RJ
Partington
C R
CR
D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed