Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Discussion:

CT of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE): a rare chronic, progressive encephalitis that affects primarily children and young adults, caused by a persistent infection of immune resistant measles virus (which can be a result of a mutation of the virus itself). 1 in 100,000 people infected with measles develops SSPE. SSPE is 'incurable' but the condition can be managed by medication if treatment is started at an early stage.

Characterized by a history of primary measles infection usually before the age of 2 years, followed by several asymptomatic years (6–15 on average), and then gradual, progressive psychoneurological deterioration, consisting of personality change, seizures, myoclonus, ataxia, photosensitivity, ocular abnormalities, spasticity, and coma.

 

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