Clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion of corpus callosum in Chinese children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the characteristics and etiology of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) in Chinese children.


METHODS
We collected ten pediatric MERS patients from local hospital and enrolled another nineteen patients by reviewing the available literatures. The information of enrolled patients about clinical features, laboratory data, treatment strategies and prognoses were collected for further analysis.


RESULTS
A total of 29 children, the median age of twenty-nine patients was (4.09±3.64) years old. The male-to-female ratio was 1.42:1.0. The major cause of MERS was viral infection. 18 patients had consciousness disturbance which was the most prominent syndrome. 18 patients had transient seizures and only one needed anticonvulsant treatment for long. 9 patients were observed serum sodium levels <135mEq/L. The cells and protein of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) were increased in 3 patients. In all patients, brain MRI evaluation revealed typical lesion in splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC). 5 patients had additional lesions involving the periventricular white matter or bilateral centrum semiovale diagnosed. 3 patients were treated with antivirus treatment because of virus infection. 7 patients received corticosteroid. 2 patients received intravenous IVIG. As a result, all patients had fully recovered without neurological residual.


CONCLUSIONS
The result of present study suggests that Chinese children with MERS might have favorable prognosis, although there is still no guideline for treatment.
Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Provincial Clinical Medical College Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, 134 East Street, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, PR China. Electronic address: tiantian3618@163.com.
Qiong
Q
Fang
Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Provincial Clinical Medical College Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, 134 East Street, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, PR China. Electronic address: chenlang11@qq.com.
Lang
L
Chen
Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Provincial Clinical Medical College Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, 134 East Street, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, PR China. Electronic address: chenqiaobin1973@sina.com.
Qiaobin
Q
Chen
Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Provincial Clinical Medical College Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, 134 East Street, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, PR China. Electronic address: 874468512@qq.com.
Zhi
Z
Lin
Department of Pediatrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Provincial Clinical Medical College Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, 134 East Street, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, PR China. Electronic address: yangfang731023@sina.com.
Fang
F
Yang
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Children; China; Mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS); Splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC)