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encephalomyelitis
Inflammation of the brain & spinal cord including the meninges.
Etiology:
1) viral infection or bacterial infection
2) complication of vaccination
3) autoimmune encephalomyelitis (anti-NMDA receptor)
3) idiopathic
Epidemiology:
-> occurs in children more often than in adults
Pathology:
-> myelin injury resulting in inflammation of the brain & spinal cord
Clinical manifestations:
1) sudden onset
2) variable symptoms
3) headache
4) delirium
5) lethargy
6) coma
7) seizures
8) stiff neck
9) fever
9) ataxia
10) optic neuritis
11) transverse myelitis
12) vomiting
13) weight loss
13) monoparesis or hemiplegia
Laboratory:
- see ARUP consult [1]
Management:
1) corticosteroids
2) symptomatic & supportive therapy
3) prognosis
a) some patients achieve complete recovery
b) others have residual deficits
c) severe cases may be fatal
d) prognosis is good when the disorder is diagnosed & treated early
Specific
acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
autoimmune encephalomyelitis
General
encephalitis
myelitis
demyelinating disease
References
- ARUP Consult: Encephalitis, Infectious
The Physician's Guide to Laboratory Test Selection & Interpretation
https://www.arupconsult.com/content/encephalitis-infectious
- NINDS Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Information Page
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Acute-Disseminated-Encephalomyelitis-Information-Page