Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
09:29
Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4
Published on: August 21, 2017
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
Summary
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.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:19Encephalitis 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...
01:26Encephalitis 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...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...