Abstract
The authors describe five cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) identified through the California Encephalitis Project that emphasize the importance of considering SSPE in the differential diagnosis of encephalitis, particularly among pediatric patients. SSPE was not suspected in the differential diagnosis of three of the cases until results of measles testing were known. The diagnosis of SSPE is often not considered by clinicians because of its rarity in the United States and the nonspecific clinical manifestations at onset.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Biomarkers / blood
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Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
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Brain / pathology
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Brain / physiopathology
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Brain / virology
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Brain Damage, Chronic / pathology
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Brain Damage, Chronic / physiopathology
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Brain Damage, Chronic / virology
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Child
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control
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Disease Progression
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Electroencephalography
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Encephalitis / diagnosis*
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Fatal Outcome
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Female
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin G / cerebrospinal fluid
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Male
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Measles / blood
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Measles / cerebrospinal fluid
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Measles / diagnosis
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Measles virus / immunology*
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Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / blood
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Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / cerebrospinal fluid
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Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / diagnosis*
Substances
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Biomarkers
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Immunoglobulin G