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Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis presenting as neuromyelitis optica

Tushar Premraj Raut1, Maneesh Kumar Singh, Ravindra Kumar Garg

  • 1Department of Neurology, CSMMU Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

BMJ Case Reports
|December 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare brain disorder caused by measles virus. This case highlights atypical early symptoms mimicking other neurological conditions, emphasizing diagnostic challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive, fatal neurological disorder resulting from a persistent measles virus infection.
  • Diagnosis typically relies on characteristic electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, elevated measles antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and clinical presentation.

Observation:

  • A 3-year-old child presented with initial symptoms of vision loss, followed by quadriparesis and bladder dysfunction.
  • These early clinical manifestations mimicked neuromyelitis optica, posing a diagnostic challenge.

Findings:

  • The patient later developed myoclonic jerks and periodic discharges on EEG.
  • CSF analysis confirmed elevated measles antibodies, leading to the definitive diagnosis of SSPE.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering SSPE in children with atypical neurological presentations, even when initial symptoms suggest other diseases.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis of SSPE is crucial for potential management strategies and understanding disease progression.
  • Recognizing diverse clinical presentations of SSPE aids in differentiating it from conditions like neuromyelitis optica.

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