encephalomyelitis

Introduction

Inflammation of the brain & spinal cord including the meninges.

Etiology

• viral infection or bacterial infection
• complication of vaccination
• autoimmune encephalomyelitis (anti-NMDA receptor)
• idiopathic

Epidemiology

• occurs in children more often than in adults

Pathology

• myelin injury resulting in inflammation of the brain & spinal cord

Clinical manifestations

• sudden onset
• variable symptoms
• headache
• delirium
• lethargy
• coma
• seizures
• stiff neck
• fever
• ataxia
• optic neuritis
• transverse myelitis
• vomiting
• weight loss
• monoparesis or hemiplegia

Laboratory

• see ARUP consult

Management

• corticosteroids
• symptomatic & supportive therapy
• prognosis
  • some patients achieve complete recovery
  • others have residual deficits
  • severe cases may be fatal
  • prognosis is good when the disorder is diagnosed & treated early

More general terms

• encephalitis
• myelitis
• demyelinating disease

More specific terms

• acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
• autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Patient information

encephalomyelitis patient information