Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of
Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Serap Teber, M.D., Ankara University,
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Neurology, 06510 Cebeci Ankara,
Turkey. Tel.: +90 312 595 63 40; 90 542 312 26 97; Fax: +90 312 319 14 40;
E-mail: seraptteber@hotmail.com
Abstract: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is almost always fatal with a
varying clinical course of illness. It is characterized by slow progression and
rarely manifests with a fulminant and rapid course. Atypical presentations such
as generalized seizures, visual loss, hemiparesis, non-convulsive status
epilepticus and isolated extrapyramidal symptoms can be observed rarely. We
report an 11-year-old boy presenting with atypical symptoms initially such as
complex partial seizures, chorea and electrographic status epilepticus. The
patient was lost within 5 months, which is suitable for a fulminant course.
Children presenting with atypical acute or subacute neurologic symptoms should
be examined for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, especially if they have no
risk factors for hereditary neurodegenerative and/or neurometabolic
diseases.
Keywords: SSPE, atypical presentation, chorea, non-convulsive status epilepticus