[Cerebral-induced vision disorders as the initial symptom in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)]

SSPE, the incidence of which is highest in children of school-age, is relatively frequently associated with bilateral acute central chorioretinitis (30%). Less common are initial visual disturbances in SSPE resulting from inflammatory processes of the encephalitis affecting cortical (occipital) areas and the visual pathways. We report on 2 cases detected after the patients had difficulty in reading and non-characteristic visual field defects. The diagnosis of panencephalitis may be confirmed by electrophoresis of spinal tap and of the EEG. The course of the disease is delayed and frequently lethal. Undefined, and at times seemingly psychogenic visual disturbances in children should always prompt immediate and intensive diagnostic efforts including pediatric and neurologic examination.