Abstract
The authors investigated immunomodulatory treatments in 15 patients with Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) (14 with childhood and one with adolescent onset RE). Positive time-limited responses were obtained in 11 patients using variable combinations of corticosteroids, apheresis, and high-dose IV immunoglobulins. Although surgical exclusion of the affected hemisphere is the only treatment that halts disease progression, immunomodulation can be considered when early surgery is not feasible, in late-onset patients with slower disease progression, and in the few cases of bilateral disease.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
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Adult
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Blood Component Removal*
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
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Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
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Disease Progression
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Encephalitis / diagnosis
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Encephalitis / immunology*
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Encephalitis / therapy*
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Epilepsia Partialis Continua / etiology
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Female
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Hemispherectomy
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Humans
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Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
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Immunosorbent Techniques
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Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Remission Induction / methods
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Cyclophosphamide