[Neuroradiological findings in the acute stage of influenza encephalopathy].

Abstract

Influenza encephalopathy(IE) is characterized by its high incidence in Japanese children between 1 year and 5 years of age, its onset in the first or the second day of illness and its high mortality (15-30%) and morbidity (25-40%). We proposed the classification of IE with poor prognosis from the neuroradiological findings. Four types of encephalopathy seem to be differentiated from each other, 1. acute necrotising encephalopathy(ANE) type, 2. hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) type, 3. acute brain swelling(ABS) type, 4. acute encephalopathy with febrile convulsive status epilepticus (AEFCSE) type. The notable radiological features are thalamic lesions in ANE, diffuse cerebral cortical cytotoxic edema in HSES, reversible cerebral swelling in ABS which sometimes reaches lethal brain herniation, and localised cerebral edema which is called as "lobar edema" because its extent seems to be equivalent to cerebral lobes. "Lobar edema" is developed about four days after status epilepticus simultaneously with the onset of repetitious focal seizure and neurological deterioration. The radiological changes in the early phase of IE are described in each types. In conclusion IE is a constellation of different types of encephalopathy although a further research of encephalopathy is urgently needed.

• Authors: Masashi Shiomi, Masao Togawa, Junichi Ishikawa, Miho Yamamuro
• Journal: Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine (Nihon Rinsho) Vol. 64 Issue 10 Pg. 1887-95 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 0047-1852 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 17037364 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Brain (diagnostic imaging)
• Brain Diseases (diagnostic imaging, etiology)
• Child, Preschool
• Humans
• Infant
• Radiography
• Status Epilepticus