Rasmussen encephalitis: diagnostic and therapeutic approaches

Encefalitis de Rasmussen diagnóstico y enfoque terapéutico

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Eugenia Espinosa
Angélica Fuentes
Amanda Liliana Naranjo

Abstract

Objective: to describe the case of a school-age patient aged 5 years 9 months diagnosed with acute Rasmussen encephalitis (RE), and its therapeutic approach. Case presentation: a girl aged 5 years 9 months presenting with progressive dystonic postures starting in the left lower limb with spread to the ipsilateral upper limb associated with focal seizures characterized by opercular epilepsy semiology which lead to status epilepticus. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging revealed progressive structural changes with atrophy of the right cerebral hemisphere and basal nuclei. Anti-epileptic and immunmodulator therapy was initiated obtaining good response. Discussion: a review of the literature on RE clinical presentation, diagnosis and best treatment options was conducted. Conclusions: this is the case of a young girl with Rasmussen syndrome in the acute stage evidencing proper clinical progression after receiving immunotherapy. Few reports exist on this topic in Colombia. Our purpose was to present a case and review RE diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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References

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