Rasmussen's disease (encephalitis). Causes of Rasmussen's syndrome

Rasmussen's disease belongs to the category of rare inflammatory diseases that break out in the brain. This encephalitis, as a rule, affects children under the age of 15 years. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in six-year-old children. In adolescents and adults, this kind of encephalitis is very rare.

In the process involves one or another hemisphere of the brain. As the disease develops, doctors notice progressive atrophy in it. Physicians point to the extreme resistance of the disease to the methods of treatment. In fact, Rasmussen's disease is encephalitis with specific signs that can not be cured.

Probable causes of Rasmussen's encephalitis

To the exact etiology of the disease, it has not yet been established. Scientists have identified only three key factors that can initiate and maintain the progression of the pathological condition that has arisen in the central nervous system. Many physicians believe that Rasmussen syndrome is caused by autoimmune antibodies, viruses and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes.

The role of cytomegalovirus, which was isolated from the cerebral cortex of adult patients, is possible. It is not excluded that these pathogens cause inflammation, which develops into an incurable disease. In addition, it can be triggered by complications that appear after previous infections.

Now most scientists believe that autoimmune antibodies cause Rasmussen's encephalitis. Causes of the disease are also believed to be explained by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

In patients with Rasmussen syndrome, relatives are sometimes found to suffer from other autoimmune ailments. For example, Behcet's disease. This leads to the assumption that the relatives have general genetic aspects involved in the pathological processes. In particular, such factors as HLA-halotypes are called.

Symptoms of Rasmussen's Encephalitis

Initially, the disease manifests itself as focal motor attacks. As the pathology develops, local myoclonas join the attacks. Over time, seizures increase. They are accompanied by muscle spasms, loss of consciousness and falling. Often patients experience seizures during sleep.

Progressing, the disease manifests itself by loss of strength and partial numbness that occurs in any half of the body. Studies indicate a decrease in activity in the region of the affected cerebral hemisphere.

Diagnostics

Symptoms are pronounced in people suffering for a year and more with Rasmussen syndrome. Encephalitis with such etiology is trying to recognize as early as possible. This allows us to hope for a positive effect of immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, first of all, they resort to the study of the clinical picture, carry out MRI and EEG.

The treatment options for Rasmussen's encephalitis

Since there are still disputes about the causes of Rasmussen syndrome, encephalitis is treated not according to conventional methods. At an early detection of an illness medicines of an anti-epileptic character write out. Recommend a diet aimed at increased intake of foods rich in fats, and a decrease in the amount of food containing carbohydrates. It is often considered appropriate to use plasmapheresis, glucocorticoids, immunoglobulins.

Often in the treatment of the disease resort to radical techniques. Patients who undergone severe illness and complex brain trauma, it is necessary to perform nerve cell transplantation. Now try to avoid trepanation of the skull whenever possible.

Sometimes patients are offered surgical intervention - hemisferectomy. After it, the course of the Rasmussen syndrome is facilitated. Encephalitis, of course, leaves its traces, expressed by paresis or problems with speech. However, the patient's attacks are less frequent.

To refuse surgical intervention is undesirable, in spite of the fact that it does not lead to complete healing. After all, the development of the disease exacerbates a persistent neurological deficit, against which mental retardation and paralysis are observed.

In cases of bilateral lesion of the brain (both hemispheres), the forecast, unfortunately, is unfavorable. Cases of death in patients with Rasmussen's encephalitis are not uncommon.