[A case of bilateral striatal necrosis associated with vesicular skin eruption]

We report here a case of bilateral striatal necrosis associated with vesicular eruption in the generalized skin. A 13-year-old, previously healthy boy had a febrile disease which was treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and an antiemetic agent. Two days later, generalized vesicular rash appeared. Seven days later, he became dysarthric. Rigidity and paralysis of the legs also developed, followed by mild disturbance of consciousness. Despite treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone and L-dopa, neurological symptoms worsened after admission, with appearance of involuntary movements and dysphagia. One month later, however, they improved spontaneously, and the patient was discharged with minimal sequelae. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated high signal intensity lesions in the bilateral striatum on both the T1- and T2-weighted images. The dermatologic and neurologic disorders of this case may have resulted from drug allergy, although role of the infection was not excluded completely. The MRI findings may reflect microhemorrhage or necrosis in the striatal lesions.