Presentation
Intractable seizures.
Patient Data
Age: 21 months
Gender: Male
From the case:
Rasmussen encephalitis
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Diffuse left sided hemiatrophy with encephalomalacia and gliotic changes are seen. Severe left ex vacuo ventriculomegaly is also noted. Overlying cranial bone has normal thickness.
These changes are in-keeping with Rasmussen encephalitis.
Case Discussion
Chronic focal encephalitis (Rasmussen encephalitis) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin, usually affecting one cerebral hemisphere. It can occur in children under 10 years 1. The patients referred with epilepsia partialis continua or generalized status epilepticus 2.
The main differential diagnoses to be considered include: