Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Citation Manager Formats

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the CNS characterized by a widespread demyelination that predominantly involves the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. The condition is usually precipitated by a viral infection or vaccination. The presenting features include an acute encephalopathy with multifocal neurologic signs and deficits. Children are preferentially affected. In the absence of specific biologic markers, the diagnosis of ADEM is still based on the clinical and radiologic features. Although ADEM usually has a monophasic course, recurrent or multiphasic forms have been reported, raising diagnostic difficulties in distinguishing these cases from multiple sclerosis (MS). The International Pediatric MS Study Group proposes uniform definitions for ADEM and its variants. We discuss some of the difficulties in the interpretation of available literature due to the different terms and definitions used. In addition, this review summarizes current knowledge of the main aspects of ADEM, including its clinical and radiologic diagnostic features, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and outcome. An overview of ADEM treatment in children is provided. Finally, the controversies surrounding pediatric MS and ADEM are addressed.
AAN Members: Sign in with your AAN member credentials (e-mail or 6-digit Member ID number)
Non-AAN Member subscribers: Sign in with subscriber credentials
Log in using your username and password
Purchase access
AAN members must change their passwords on the AAN site
For assistance, please contact:
AAN Members (800) 879-1960 or (612) 928-6000 (International)
Non-AAN Member subscribers (800) 638-3030 or (301) 223-2300 option 3, select 1 (international)
Sign Up
Information on how to subscribe to Neurology and Neurology: Clinical Practice can be found here
Purchase
Individual access to articles is available through the Add to Cart option on the article page. Access for 1 day (from the computer you are currently using) is US$ 39.00.
Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence
NOTE: All contributors' disclosures must be entered and current in our database before comments can be posted. Enter and update disclosures at http://submit.neurology.org. Exception: replies to comments concerning an article you originally authored do not require updated disclosures.
- Stay timely. Submit only on articles published within the last 8 weeks.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- 200 words maximum.
- 5 references maximum. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- 5 authors maximum. Exception: replies can include all original authors of the article.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
You May Also be Interested in
- Article
- Abstract
- Epidemiology.
- Clinical presentation.
- MRI features.
- Advanced neuroimaging techniques.
- Monophasic and multiphasic ADEM.
- Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis.
- Controversies in diagnosis based on published studies: Rationale for proposed definitions.
- ADEM definitions.
- Differential diagnosis.
- Treatment and management.
- Steroids.
- Immunoglobulin.
- Plasma exchange.
- Other therapies.
- Outcome and prognosis.
- Treated ADEM.
- Neurocognitive outcome.
- ADEM and MS.
- Pathogenesis.
- Research/future directions.
- Appendix
- Footnotes
- References
- Figures & Data
- Info
Related Articles
- No related articles found.