Rasmussen syndrome and long-term response to thalidomide.
We report a 13-year-old female who experienced symptoms and signs of Rasmussen encephalitis for the first time at the age of 5 years. Various therapeutic procedures, including conventional and new antiepileptic drugs, steroids, immunoglobulin, plasma exchanges, and partial hemispherectomy, were applied, but their results were unsatisfactory. During one of the exacerbations, when the patient's life was endangered, thalidomide was administered. Frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures were reduced significantly, and the quality of her life improved. Except for moderate neutropenia, the other adverse effects were not recognized. In our opinion, thalidomide is not a first-choice drug for Rasmussen encephalitis but is a good alternative only for cases refractory to other well-known and accepted therapeutic procedures.
Department of Neurology, Pediatric Clinic of Mother and Child Health Care Institute, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Borivoj D
BD
Marjanovic
Ljubomir M
LM
Stojanov
Dragan S
DS
Zdravkovic
Ruzica M
RM
Kravljanac
Maja S
MS
Djordjevic
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013792:Thalidomide