Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: clinical picture and objective prognosis

There is an opinion that acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is infectious in nature. The general regularity is revealed, which indicates that this pathology progresses against a background of a viral infection or purulent sinusitis, otitis. To identify the main pathogen causative agent has not been finally achieved yet, but it has already been reliably proven that the dominant role in the development of the disease is played by allergic reactions that lead to a demyelinating process in the spinal cord and brain. The disease is represented by multiple perivascular foci, which can predominate both in the trunk and white matter of the cerebral hemispheres, and directly in the spinal cord. Diagnosis of the pathological process in the spinal nerves and roots of the limbs, in addition, myalgic encephalomyelitis is often called the syndrome of chronic fatigue.

If we recall a clear definition, then we can say that acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is positioned as an acute inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, which is characterized by spontaneously flowing disseminated demyelinating depression of the spinal cord and brain, in the dynamics of which the mechanisms of autoimmune origin are of significant importance.

Let's try to determine the pathogenesis of the disease. It is important to note that acute disseminated encephalomyelitis begins in acute form, and in essence resembles the usual viral disease. So, the patient begins to feel a general malaise, loss of appetite and can quickly "jump up" the temperature, but also is not excluded and psychomotor agitation, paresthesia. Usually, meningeal symptoms are manifested, in the background of which, in a couple of days, focal symptoms manifest themselves, indicating the severity of the lesion in the hemisphere or brainstem, and also in the spinal cord. If we talk about spinal symptoms, then we should highlight the manifestation of para- and tetraparesis, as an option, peripheral paresis. Similar anomalies lead to disruption of the functions of the pelvic organs. If we talk about stem symptoms, we mean bulbar paresis, affecting the condition and performance of the abduction and facial nerves. In addition, in the pathological process, the optic nerves are also involved in the means of retrobulbar neuritis.

Hence it is possible to make quite understandable conclusion that an extremely unpleasant and very dangerous disease is acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, the symptoms of which not only affect vital organs and functions, but also bring the patient a lot of pain and discomfort.

If to judge this form of encephalomyelitis, then it is of an acute nature with intensively growing signs, but in medical practice there are also such clinical pictures when the pathology develops for a long time and its symptoms form up to a couple of weeks. If you draw a conditional parallel with such a disease as multiple sclerosis, you can find common signs in the face of autoimmune reactions to various myelin antigens. However, unlike multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is characterized by one rapid inflammation. And a kind of "conductor" of autoimmune reactions is a certain virus, but do not ignore the vascular and toxic indicators through which secondary demyelination can increase.

It is important to emphasize that the prognosis of the disease is very favorable and often the final recovery occurs, but sometimes paresis, loss of vision and sensitivity disorders remain as sediment. In more serious forms or in case of untimely response, a lethal outcome is possible, so the disease requires timely diagnosis and immediate treatment, which must be performed by a knowledgeable expert.