Rasmussen's encephalitis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Neuroimmunology

Background:

• Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare, chronic inflammatory neurological disorder of unknown cause.
• This case report aims to raise awareness of Rasmussen's encephalitis within African clinical settings.

Observation:

• A 14-year-old male presented with recurrent seizures, receptive aphasia, hemiparesis, and intellectual impairment.
• Neuroimaging revealed cerebellar atrophy and middle cerebral artery territory infarction.
• EEG findings were consistent with complex partial seizures.

Findings:

• The patient exhibited clinical features suggestive of Rasmussen's encephalitis, supported by neuroimaging.
• Over 12 months, the patient showed improvement in gait and speech, though intellectual impairment persisted.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering Rasmussen's encephalitis in the differential diagnosis of new-onset seizures and focal neurological deficits in Africa.
• Advanced neuroimaging is crucial for confirming the diagnosis and assessing the extent of hemispheric damage.