Rasmussen's encephalitis

Etiology

• idiopathic

Pathology

• unilateral hemispheric atrophy
• intractable seizures

Microscopic pathology

• chronic encephalitis
• predominance of T lymphocytes
• prominent microglial activation with microglial nodules
• neuronophagia
• gliosis

Clinical manifestations

• chronic, progressive course
• progressive unilateral weakness
• intractable seizures

Diagnostic procedures

• electroencephalography may reveal unilateral discharges
• lumbar puncture: CSF may be normal
• brain biopsy

Radiology

• MRI neuroimaging may reveal unilateral lesion in motor area

Management

• neurosurgery: hemispheric disconnection

More general terms

• encephalitis