Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in an Adult: An Uncommon Case of Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an uncommon acute, rapidly progressive autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is most often due to infection or immunization. Generally, it is monophasic, but there is potential for recurrence and risk for development of multiple sclerosis. Although there has been literature documenting autonomic dysreflexia and hypertensive emergency in 2 pediatric cases of ADEM, to our knowledge there has not been a case detailing paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity in an adult patient with ADEM. This case report describes a fulminant case of ADEM and serves to expand the list of diagnoses associated with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 25 S. Ninth Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Eric K
EK
Holder
Department of Neurology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
Joseph C
JC
McCall
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
Kristofer J
KJ
Feeko
D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male