Case Report: Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Presenting as Acute Encephalitis

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is still a common disease in India which is characterized by a progressive mental decline, myoclonus, periodic encephalographic abnormalities, and raised anti-measles antibody titter in the cerebrospinal fluid. Acute fulminant SSPE is characterized by a rapid course of disease culminating in death, within 6 months. We report of a 10-year-old boy, who came with a 14-day history of continuous involuntary jerky movements of the left half of the body, including the head. There was a highly increased anti-measles IgG antibody titer, both in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum. We conclude that acute rapidly progressive SSPE can present as acute encephalitis syndrome.

The EEG Features of Four Cases of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis in North China: SSPE EEG Features

“…SSPE is a progressive and fatal disease which demands early diagnosis to prolong survival span. Onset symptoms are often diverse, including behavioral abnormalities, psychomotor regression, seizures, febrile seizures, acute encephalitis, autoimmune encephalitis, ocular symptoms etc, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] which make the diagnosis very difficult. Accumulated studies have shown the potential value of PDs in the diagnosis of SSPE.…”

Atypical early presentation of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in children: A case series

“…SSPE is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, myoclonic jerk, raised anti-measles antibody titer in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and typical electroencephalography (EEG) findings of generalized and synchronous bursts of sharp-slow wave complexes. 1,2 The disease has a gradual downhill course, leading to death in most cases within 1-3 years of diagnosis. Here, we have presented three cases with this deadly disease that have presented with a very short latency period.…”