[Rasmussen's chronic progressive focal encephalitis]

Chronic progressive focal encephalitis or Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is chronic brain disease of viral etiology. It is manifested by either partial motor or myoclonic seizures combined with hemiparesis. RE was described in detail in a girl of 8.5 years. The disease debut was observed at the age of 5.5 and manifested in the form of simple partial motor fits with serial episodes of secondary generalization. Post-attack hemiparesis was observed from the age of 7.5 and became permanent after 8. From this time myoclonic fits became constant, changed for the worse, memory and attention deteriorated. NMR tomography revealed widening and deepening of the Sylvian fissure as well as a focal decrease of left temporal area density. The patient was resistant to anticonvulsant, hormonal and immunosuppressive drugs. The criteria of RE diagnosis, its difference from Kozhevnikov's epilepsy are provided. Estimation of drug and surgical treatment effectivity is given. The necessity of early surgical treatment (functional hemisphere ectomy) is emphasized.