Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

[A case of acute measles encephalitis with periodic synchronous discharge on electroencephalography]

Kensho Okamoto1, Bungo Okuda

  • 1Department of Neurology, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital.

Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|November 12, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Acute measles encephalitis can present with periodic synchronous discharge (PSD) on electroencephalography (EEG) during its early stages. This case highlights PSD as an important EEG finding in measles encephalitis, even in the absence of detectable viral genetic material.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, including encephalitis.
  • Acute measles encephalitis is a rare but severe neurological complication characterized by inflammation of the brain.
  • Electroencephalography (EEG) is a crucial diagnostic tool for evaluating altered brain activity in encephalitis.

Observation:

  • An 18-year-old male presented with measles, followed by generalized convulsions and status epilepticus.
  • Clinical presentation and cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed acute measles encephalitis.
  • EEG revealed periodic synchronous discharge (PSD) on day 4, a pattern not typically associated with early measles encephalitis.

Findings:

  • The patient received intravenous immunoglobulin and dexamethasone, with supportive care including artificial ventilation and sedation.
  • Measles virus antibody titers were elevated in serum but not cerebrospinal fluid; PCR was negative for common neurotropic viruses.
  • Serial EEGs showed a decrease in PSD, evolving to irregular spike-wave complexes, correlating with clinical recovery.

Implications:

  • Periodic synchronous discharge (PSD) on EEG should be considered in the early diagnostic evaluation of acute measles encephalitis.
  • This case underscores the importance of comprehensive neurological assessment and monitoring in patients with severe measles infections.
  • The findings contribute to understanding the diverse electroencephalographic manifestations of measles-related neurological complications.

More Related Videos

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Multi-electrode Array Recordings of Human Epileptic Postoperative Cortical Tissue13:14

Multi-electrode Array Recordings of Human Epileptic Postoperative Cortical Tissue

Published on: October 26, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.