IVIG treatment for VZV-related acute inflammatory polyneuropathy in a child.

Abstract

Acute inflammatory polyneuropathy is an inflammatory demyelinating disease triggered by an autoimmune mechanism. It follows an infection or an immunisation after a free interval of 2-30 days. We report a case of a 14-year-old boy who develops an acute rapidly progressive paraplegia, urine incontinence and positive Lasegue a week after a characteristic chickenpox rash. Spinal MRI showed diffuse thickening and leptomeningeal enhancement of cauda equina nerve roots. Intravenous immunoglobulins were given and yielded a dramatic clinical and radiological improvement. The patient was discharged without any clinical problems 1 month after the onset of symptoms. We performed a review of the literature, discussing the different forms of varicella-zoster virus-related central and peripheral nervous system complications and management strategies for acute postinfectious encephalomyelitis/radiculitis.

• Authors: Danilo Buonsenso, Benedetta Focarelli, Piero Valentini, Roberta Onesimo
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2012 (Jul 19 2012) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22814982 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
• Immunologic Factors

Topics

• Adolescent
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Herpesvirus 3, Human
• Humans
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous (therapeutic use)
• Immunologic Factors (therapeutic use)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male