Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADE) is a neurological disorder characterized by diffuse inflammation of the brain and spinal cord causing damage to the myelin sheath. ADE may be idiopathic or secondary to infection or immunization. The disease evolves usually with unspecific clinical manifestations. 

Objective: to present a clinical case and a review of the literature. 

Case: We describe a 7 year old girl who developed ADE. Clinical presentation, neuroradiological findings and treatment are comments. 

Conclusions: ADE is an infrequent disease which can be fatal. MRI findings confirm the diagnosis and steroid therapy appears to be the most effective treatment, although the disease may spontaneously improve.