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[Leukoencephalitis with hemiplegia during chickenpox]
Summary
Chickenpox encephalitis can rarely cause hemiplegia, a severe complication. Early diagnosis and treatment with corticosteroids led to a full recovery in a pediatric case.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Chickenpox encephalitis typically presents as mild cerebellar ataxia.
- Seizures and coma are rare manifestations of this condition.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old girl experienced generalized seizures following chickenpox.
- She developed ataxia, left hemiparesis, and subsequently left hemiplegia.
- Cerebral imaging revealed subcortical hypodensities indicative of leukoencephalitis.
Findings:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed acute leukoencephalitis lesions in the right temporo-fronto-parietal subcortical area.
- The patient received corticosteroid therapy.
- Complete, albeit slow, recovery was observed.
Implications:
- Hemiplegia is an uncommon complication of chickenpox, complicating diagnosis.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IRM) aids in diagnosing chickenpox leukoencephalitis.
- Prompt recognition and management of severe neurological complications are crucial.