ABSTRACT
A encefalopatia necrotizante aguda foi descrita inicialmente em crianças japonesas e se caracteriza por rápida evolução e lesões simétricas no tronco encefálico, cerebelo e especialmente nos tálamos. Avaliamos uma menina de 7 meses de idade, que apresentou dois episódios de depressão da consciência de rápida instalação e paresias, sem alterações metabólicas. Houve uma rápida melhora na primeira crise, porém o segundo episódio foi fulminante, tendo evoluído para estado de morte encefálica em dois dias. Os estudos de ressonância magnética mostraram lesões simétricas nos tálamos e acometimento também do tronco encefálico e cerebelo.
Acute necrotizing encephalopathy was initially reported in Japanese children. The rapid evolution and symmetrical brain lesions seen in the brainstem, cerebellum and specially in the thalamus characterize the disease. We studied a 7-month-old-girl, who presented with two episodes of rapid loss of consciousness and paresis without metabolic disturbances. At the first time she had a rapid improvement, but at the second episode the course was fulminant and in two days she lapsed into a clinical state of brain death. The magnetic resonance studies showed symmetrical lesions in the thalamus and additional lesions involving the brainstem and the cerebellum.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Infant , Brain/pathology , Leigh Disease/pathology , Fatal Outcome , Magnetic Resonance ImagingABSTRACT
A case of Chagas' meningoencephalitis in a 47 year-old patient with AIDS is presented. The diagnosis was established by examination of the cerebrospinal fluid which showed the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi. CT-scan revealed multiple cerebral lesions which only became evident by contrast administration. A second CT after 13 days showed a severe evolution with displacement of the midline structures leading to the patient's death. This case, as well as other case reports published, has shown the fulminant evolution of Chagas'meningoencephalitis in AIDS patients and the importance of cerebrospinal fluid examination for the diagnosis.