title: Emergency department presentation of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
abstract: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is an acute demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that usually occurs in children and young adults. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department with acutely altered mental status. Standard workup including head computed tomography, lumbar puncture, and routine chemistries was unrevealing. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed findings consistent with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Response to treatment with steroids was dramatic. Both the rapidity of onset and resolution of this patient's symptoms are unusual for the course of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92134-5000, USA. shaunc@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shaun D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Carstairs
authors.forename: Keri L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Carstairs
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D016638:Critical Illness; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008775:Methylprednisolone