Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
04:23

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease

Published on: April 28, 2019

Cerebellar mutism and reversible cytotoxic edema in influenza B-associated encephalopathy

Farouq I Thabet1, Suad Khalil, Fareeha Naz

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan.

Pediatric Neurology
|October 8, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Influenza B virus can cause rare neurological complications like cerebellar mutism in children. This case highlights reversible brain edema in the cerebellum, suggesting the dentate nuclei

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Neurological complications of influenza virus are uncommon but documented, particularly in children.
  • Influenza A is most frequently linked to encephalopathy and seizures.
  • Cerebellar mutism is a rare complication, with limited reports associated with influenza B.

Observation:

  • A 3-year-old boy presented with symptoms including fever, cough, altered mental status, seizures, hypotonia, and mutism.
  • The patient tested positive for influenza B virus.
  • Brain MRI revealed reversible cytotoxic edema localized to the middle cerebellar peduncles and dentate nuclei.

Findings:

  • This case details cerebellar mutism in a child with influenza B encephalopathy.
  • Neuroimaging demonstrated reversible cytotoxic edema predominantly affecting the middle cerebellar peduncles and dentate nuclei.
  • The findings correlate clinically and radiologically with the proposed role of dentate nuclei in cerebellar mutism pathogenesis.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of rare neurological manifestations of influenza B infection.
  • The clinicoradiological findings underscore the involvement of the dentate nuclei in the development of cerebellar mutism.
  • Highlights the importance of considering influenza B in the differential diagnosis of pediatric encephalopathy with cerebellar signs.
Keywords:
cerebellar mutismdentate nucleusencephalopathyinfluenzareversible cytotoxic edema

More Related Videos

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo10:50

Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo

Published on: March 26, 2019

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...
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology01:21

Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology

Cytotoxic edema is a form of cerebral edema characterized by intracellular swelling of neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells. It develops when the mechanisms responsible for maintaining ionic gradients across the cell membrane become impaired. Under normal physiological conditions, the sodium–potassium ATPase actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, preserving osmotic balance and enabling electrical signaling. This pump requires a continuous supply...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...