Probable etiology of mild encephalopathy with reversible isolated lesions in the corpus callosum in children: A review of 20 cases from northern China

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the etiological spectrum of solitary corpus callosum lesions in children. Methods:Retrospective analysis ofclinical features, laboratory findings and brain MRI of 20 children with isolated corpus callosum lesions and treated in Taiyuan, northern China. Results:The average age of onset was 3.64±3.25 years old. The main clinical symptoms were seizures (13 cases, 65%), fever (10 cases, 50%), gastrointestinal symptoms with vomiting or diarrhea (10 cases, 50%), neck stiffness (5 cases, 25%), altered states of consciousness (4 cases, 20%). Brain MRI showed the splenium lesion to be oval in shape. Repeat MRI showed reversal of the lesion after a mean of 29.5 days. Though the patients were suspected to have probable viral encephalitis, no etiology was found in 15 cases. There was associated gastroenteritis in 5 patients, and rotavirus confirmed in stool in 4 patients. Close to half the patients had hyponatremia. None of the patient had had persistent neurobehavioural symptoms on follow-up at 12-14 months. Conclusions:This study from northern China confirmed that isolated solitary corpus callosum lesion is benign