Cerebral glucose metabolism in the course of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

• Published in: Archives of neurology (Chicago) Vol. 46; no. 1; p. 97
• Main Authors: Huber, M, Herholz, K, Pawlik, G, Szelies, B, Jürgens, R, Heiss, W D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-1989
• Subjects: Adolescent; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - metabolism; Deoxyglucose - analogs & derivatives; Fluorine Radioisotopes; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Glucose - metabolism; Humans; Interferon Type I - therapeutic use; Male; Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis - diagnostic imaging; Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis - metabolism; Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis - therapy; Tomography, Emission-Computed
• ISSN: 0003-9942
• DOI: 10.1001/archneur.1989.00520370099029

Regional cerebral glucose metabolism was studied in a 15-year-old boy with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis before and after therapy with human interferon beta, using positron emission tomography of fluorine 18-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose. At first examination, metabolism was symmetrically decreased in the thalamus, cerebellum, and all cortical areas except prerolandic motor cortex, but increased in lentiform nucleus. A computed tomographic scan was normal. Six months later, bilateral focal necrosis centered in the previously hypermetabolic putamen was demonstrated by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The caudate nucleus and the superoposterior part of the putamen were spared, still showing increased metabolism. Corresponding with some clinical improvement, cortical glucose consumption rates had returned to a normal level.