title: Early add-on immunoglobulin administration in Rasmussen encephalitis: the hypothesis of neuroimmunomodulation.
abstract: Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to unilateral hemispheric atrophy, associated with progressive neurological dysfunction and intractable seizures. The best approach to RE is hemispherectomy. However long-term immunotherapy seems to prevent or slow down hemispheric tissue loss and the associated functional decline. We describe a girl with epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) and progressive neurological dysfunction compatible with RE. The brain MRI showed a lesion that was initially interpreted as focal cortical dysplasia. Combined antiepileptic and immunomodulation were administered for two years with initial beneficial effects. The follow-up MRI, 4 year later showed. atrophic change in right parietal region. The association of antiepileptic and immunomodulation therapies may inhibit pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for neuronal loss in RE, slowing down the progression of the disease.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Division, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Papetti
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Nicita
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Granata
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Guerrini
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Ursitti
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Properzi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Iannetti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Spalice
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017036:Epilepsia Partialis Continua / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007136:Immunoglobulins