Manifestaciones neurológicas graves de la gripe durante la temporada gripal 2018-2019: serie de casos de 13 pacientes pediátricos / Severe neurological manifestations of influenza during 2018-2019 influenza season: Case series of 13 pediatric patients

La gripe se asocia al aparato respiratorio, especialmente en invierno, y puede causar complicaciones neurológicas. Se evaluó a pacientes pediátricos con manifestaciones neurológicas graves por gripe desde septiembre de 2018 hasta febrero de 2019 para determinar características clínicas, neuroimagenología, tratamiento y resultados. El objetivo fue evaluar la encefalitis asociada a la gripe y destacar diferentes manifestaciones neurológicas y cambios de neuroimagenología. El estudio incluyó a 13 pacientes. Los síntomas neurológicos ocurrieron tras los síntomas típicos de la gripe. Los cambios de neuroimagenología incluyen alteraciones de señal de la sustancia blanca cortical y subcortical, edema localizado o generalizado y lesiones multifocales simétricas bilaterales en el tálamo y la médula del cerebelo. Las opciones terapéuticas incluyen metilprednisolona en inyección intravenosa, inmunoglobulina intravenosa, plasmaféresis y oseltamivir. Es fundamental considerar la encefalitis asociada a la gripe en pacientes con convulsiones, la encefalopatía con hallazgos radiológicos compatibles, e iniciar el tratamiento lo antes posible

Influenza is mostly associated with the respiratory tract system, especially in the winter season. Various neurological complications could occur due to influenza infection. Pediatric patients who had severe neurological manifestations due to influenza infection from September 2018 to February 2019 were evaluated for clinical characteristics, neuroimaging studies, treatment, and outcome. We aimed to assess Influenza-associated encephalitis in children, emphasize different neurological manifestations and neuroimaging changes. Thirteen patients were included in the study. Neurological symptoms occurred after flu-like symptoms. Neuroimaging changes of influenza-associated encephalitis/encephalopathy include cortical and subcortical white matter signal alterations, localized or generalized edema, and bilateral symmetrical multifocal lesions on the thalamus and cerebellar medulla. Pulse methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, and oseltamivir are the therapy choices. It is essential to consider influenza-associated encephalitis in patients with seizures, encephalopathy with supporting radiological findings, especially during the influenza season and starting treatment as fast as possible for better outcomes.

Encefalitis autoinmune por anticuerpos contra el receptor GABA-A: caso clínico / Autoimmune encephalitis induced by antibodies against GABA-A receptor

Among autoimmune encephalitides, a prevalent group are those associated with antibodies against the N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor, which present with behavior abnormalities, psychosis, seizures and abnormal movements. A new variant, mediated by antibodies against the GABA-A receptor, was recen­tly described. We report a 66-years-old female with this form of encephalitis whose main manifestation was the presence of severe seizures leading to status epilepticus. The patient had a good response to immunomodulatory therapy with intravenous methylprednisolone, azathioprine and anticonvulsants. The laboratory tests initially detected anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies which lead to the misdiagnosis of Hashimoto Encephalitis, which was ruled out after the detection of antibodies against GABA-A receptor. No malignancy was detected.

case of rasmussen encephalitis: the differential diagnoses and role of diagnostic imaging

Rasmussen encephalitis is an extremely rare chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease affecting a single cerebral hemisphere, causing progressive neurological deterioration and intractable seizures. Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis by demonstrating focal or unihemispheric involvement and excluding other possible causes. Here, we report a case of Rasmussen encephalitis with an update on recent diagnostic criteria and emphasis on differential diagnoses which can be excluded on imaging