title: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
abstract: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a monophasic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous systemthat predominately affects prepubertal children. It is typically characterized by an abrupt onset of neurologic symptoms preceded by an infection or recent immunization. ADEM is a diagnosis of exclusion in many cases, though the differential diagnosis is extensive. An adult female diagnosed with ADEMrepresents an atypical presentation; she was subsequently treated successfully with high-dose steroids. Nursing considerations for patients with ADEM include teaching patients and families about the disease, its clinical course, treatment, and prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience--Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA. catieh99@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Kiwon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009732:Nursing Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013129:Spinal Puncture
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents