ATYPICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS: CASE SERIES

ABSTRACT

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, progressive degenerative disease of the brain caused by reactivation of aberrant measles virus. Classical symptoms of SSPE are described as behavioral changes, declining scholastic performance, myoclonic jerks etc. However, at times it presents with varied atypical manifestations, which makes diagnosis dif?cult. Hereby we report two patients with unusual manifestations of SSPE. In ?rst case, 14-year-old boy presented with recurrent falls of 9 months duration. Initially, it was 1-2 times per week, progressing over 9 months to frequency of 40-50 falls per day. In second case, 21-year-old gentleman presented with behavioral changes and memory disturbance of 1-year duration. However, his family members noticed worsening of symptoms 1 month before presentation as he started developing involuntary jerky movements involving the right upper and lower limb. In both of them electroencephalogram (EEG) was showing long interval periodic discharges and cerebrospinal ?uid was showing elevated titers of anti-measles antibody overall suggesting SSPE. Hence it needs much attention for atypical presentations and also considering SSPE in differential diagnosis of unsolved atypical neurological presentations.