Post-mumps encephalitis mimicking metabolic disease on brain magnetic resonance imaging: a case report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Post-infectious encephalitis is a rare complication of mumps virus infection.
• Neurological manifestations of mumps can vary widely.
• Early diagnosis and understanding of imaging findings are crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of post-mumps encephalitis in a child.
• To describe the clinical and neuroimaging findings, including a rare MRI sign.
• To contribute to the understanding of mumps encephalitis presentations.

Main Methods:

• Case report of an 11-year-old boy with symptoms following mumps.
• Clinical assessment including neurological examination.
• Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for evaluating brain lesions.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis for mumps antibodies.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with pseudobulbar syndrome and parkinsonism one week after mumps parotitis.
• Brain MRI revealed bilateral, symmetric basal ganglia lesions with surrounding white matter abnormalities (lentiform fork sign).
• CSF analysis confirmed the presence of mumps antibodies, diagnosing post-mumps encephalitis.

Conclusions:

• This case represents the first reported instance of post-mumps encephalitis presenting with the lentiform fork sign.
• The findings emphasize the diverse neurological sequelae of mumps infection.
• The lentiform fork sign, typically associated with metabolic disorders, was observed in this infectious encephalitis case, expanding its differential diagnosis.