Double pathology in Rasmussen's encephalitis: etiologic considerations

• Published in: Epilepsia (Copenhagen) Vol. 37; no. 5; p. 495
• Main Authors: Yacubian, E M, Rosemberg, S, Marie, S K, Valério, R M, Jorge, C L, Cukiert, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-05-1996
• Subjects: Cerebral Cortex - abnormalities; Cerebral Cortex - diagnostic imaging; Cerebral Cortex - pathology; Child; Encephalitis - diagnostic imaging; Encephalitis - pathology; Encephalitis - surgery; Epilepsia Partialis Continua - diagnostic imaging; Epilepsia Partialis Continua - pathology; Epilepsia Partialis Continua - surgery; Female; Frontal Lobe - diagnostic imaging; Frontal Lobe - pathology; Frontal Lobe - surgery; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Temporal Lobe - diagnostic imaging; Temporal Lobe - pathology; Temporal Lobe - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0013-9580
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1996.tb00597.x

In a 7-year-old girl with epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) involving the left face, arm, and leg for 1 year, serial neuroimaging studies showed progressive, brain atrophy. Because medical treatment was ineffective, she underwent a large fronto-temporal surgical resection. Neuropathological examination showed loss of lamination and dysplastic neurons, gliosis, microglial nodules, and perivascular cuffing. Such "double pathology" (dysgenesia and a chronic inflammatory process) may have implications for the pathophysiology of Rasmussen's syndrome.