title: Overlap between linear scleroderma, progressive facial hemiatrophy and immune-inflammatory encephalitis in a paediatric cohort.
abstract: Linear scleroderma en coup the sabre (LSCS), progressive facial hemiatrophy (PFH) and autoimmune encephalitis are distinct clinical entities, although patients with overlapping features have been reported. We performed a multicenter retrospective review of a series of children with LSCS and/or PFH to explore the relation between these entities. The files of 16 children were reviewed, 11 presented with LSCS, 5 with PFH, with time overlapping cutaneous features were seen. Extracutaneous signs were found in both groups. ANA were present in more than 50 % of patients. Almost half of our patients presented with CNS manifestations comprising unilateral headache, migraine and epilepsy with or without abnormalities on MRI. Brain biopsy in one patient was consistent with Rasmussen encephalitis. In two other children, associated autoimmune manifestations were present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our patient cohort brings more arguments to consider LSCS and PFH as a single disease entity with LSCS and superficial skin involvement at one end of the spectrum and PFH with involvement of subcutaneous deep tissue at the other end. In both entities, encephalitis can be observed. Our findings of circulating ANA, intradermal lymphocytes and IgG, intrathecal IgG production and clinical improvement with immunosuppressive therapy endorse the concept of a possible common immune-inflammatory pathogenesis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  • LSCS, PFH and immune-inflammatory encephalitis are distinct clinical entities, but patients with overlapping features have been reported.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  • We present a unique paediatric cohort with LSCS, PFH and/or encephalitis. • We endorse the concept of a common immune-inflammatory disease process.
authors: Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium, lien.desomer@uzleuven.be.
authors: Lien
authors: L
authors: De Somer
authors: Marie-Anne
authors: MA
authors: Morren
authors: P C E Hissink
authors: PC
authors: Muller
authors: Karine
authors: K
authors: Despontin
authors: Katrien
authors: K
authors: Jansen
authors: Lieven
authors: L
authors: Lagae
authors: Carine
authors: C
authors: Wouters
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001706:Biopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005150:Facial Hemiatrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index