Movement disorders associated with encephalitis lethargica: A video compilation

Abstract

Encephalitis lethargica (EL; epidemic encephalitis; von Economo's disease) often presented with a movement disorder, and the motor consequences of postencephalitic parkinsonism (PEP) were characteristic of the chronic sequelae of this condition. PEP was similar to Parkinson's disease but was more variable and had some distinct features such as oculogyric crises. Although two previous publications have included video images of the movement disorders associated with EL and PEP, the sequences presented were typically short, showed only a few patients, and did not include the work of several neurologists who had the foresight to preserve filmed images of their patients. We describe the most complete record of EL and PEP moving images that have been preserved and make them available in edited form.

Contemporary Encephalitis Lethargica: Phenotype, laboratory findings and treatment outcomes

“…A very informative historical review of the disease accompanied by videos was recently published [33]. In our series, most patients presented with symptoms fitting the somnolent-opthalmoplegic form of the disease although all forms (hyperkinetic and akinetic) were represented.…”

Myorhythmia: Phenomenology, etiology, and treatment

“…Orofacial and limb movements have been reported in patients with von Economo's encephalitis lethargica, which was initially believed to be related to the influenza virus but is now considered a possible autoimmune disorder . Even though the term myorhythmia was not used in the original descriptions, a careful analysis of written reports and videos suggests that some of these patients had cranial and limb myorhythmia …”

Sentinel node navigation surgery versus observation as a management strategy for early tongue carcinoma

“…In our experience, however, an action tremor of the tongue is not uncommon in other parkinsonian disorders, especially MSA. In a large review of patients with post encephalitic parkinsonism due to encephalitis lethargica, tremors of the tongue, jaw, and face were commonly associated with this condition 44…”