Author/Authors :
Ünver, Olcay Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa Medical School - Department of Pediatric Neurology, Turkey , Hasıloğlu, Zehra Işık Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa Medical School - Department of Radiology, Turkey , Şahin, Sezgin Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa Medical School - Department of Pediatrics, Turkey , Albayram, Mehmet Sait Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa Medical School - Department of Radiology, Turkey , Taştan, Yücel Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa Medical School - Department of Pediatrics, Turkey , Uysal, Serap Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa Medical School - Department of Pediatric Neurology, Turkey
Abstract :
Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood is a rare form of acute encephalopathy of unknown etiology characterized by typical symmetrical lesions in the thalami, with variable involvement of the white matter, brainstem and cerebellum. Clinically there is a rapid neurologic deterioration after a short period of a nonspecific viral-like illness associated with gastrointestinal or respiratory signs. Asian children are especially affected. Here we present a 3-year-old boy admitted to our hospital with fever and deterioration of consciousness. His nasopharyngeal swab for polymerase chain reaction revealed positive results for human parainfluenza 2 virüs. The diagnosis of acute necrotizing encephalopathy was made by cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings with symmetrical expansile hyperintense signals in bilateral thalami.
