Afshan Ehsan, Somia Jamal, Saadiq Mirza, Sina Aziz.
Rasmussen Encephalitis: In a Two and a Half Year Old Infant Presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi.
Ann Abbasi Shaheed Hosp Karachi Med Dent Coll Jan ;20(1):65-9.

Rasmussen Encephalitis is a rare, acquired chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, usually affecting one brain hemisphere. It is a childhood disorder characterized by unilateral atrophy associated with focal seizures, motor deficits and cognitive decline. Here we present a case of a two and half year old boy with a two day history of fever, seizures and unresponsiveness. After 24 hours of presentation to the emergency department of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, patient regained consciousness and a repeat neurological evaluation revealed left sided hemiplagia and aphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2- weighted images revealed abnormal signal intensity in right parieto-occipital subcortical white matter associated with swelling and effacement of adjacent sulci. The electroencephalogram however done in a seizure-free state was normal. He was managed with neuroprotective modalities and antiepileptics, initially followed by physiotherapy which showed progressive improvement. This case is notable as it is a rare form of encephalitis and an emphasis should be laid on excluding the case on the basis of diagnostic criteria and neuroimaging. We aim to review the clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities and current treatment and also to highlight the treatment trials underway.

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