Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Updates on an inflammatory CNS syndrome
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Abstract
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated demyelinating CNS disorder with predilection to early childhood. ADEM is generally considered a monophasic disease. However, recurrent ADEM has been described and defined as multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis. ADEM often occurs postinfectiously, although a causal relationship has never been established. ADEM and multiple sclerosis are currently viewed as distinct entities, generally distinguishable even at disease onset. However, pathologic studies have demonstrated transitional cases of yet unclear significance. ADEM is clinically defined by acute polyfocal neurologic deficits including encephalopathy. MRI typically demonstrates reversible, ill-defined white matter lesions of the brain and often also the spinal cord, along with frequent involvement of thalami and basal ganglia. CSF analysis may reveal a mild pleocytosis and elevated protein, but is generally negative for intrathecal oligoclonal immunoglobulin G synthesis. In the absence of a specific diagnostic test, ADEM is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, and ADEM mimics, especially those requiring a different treatment approach, have to be carefully ruled out. The role of biomarkers, including autoantibodies like anti–myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of ADEM is currently under debate. Based on the presumed autoimmune etiology of ADEM, the current treatment approach consists of early immunotherapy. Outcome of ADEM in pediatric patients is generally favorable, but cognitive deficits have been reported even in the absence of other neurologic sequelae. This review summarizes the current knowledge on epidemiology, pathology, clinical presentation, neuroimaging features, CSF findings, differential diagnosis, therapy, and outcome, with a focus on recent advances and controversies.
GLOSSARY
- ADEM=
- acute disseminated encephalomyelitis;
- ADEM-ON=
- acute disseminated encephalomyelitis followed by optic neuritis;
- AHL=
- acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy;
- IgG=
- immunoglobulin G;
- IPMSSG=
- International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group;
- MDEM=
- multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis;
- MOG=
- myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein;
- MS=
- multiple sclerosis;
- NMOSD=
- neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders;
- OCB=
- oligoclonal band
Footnotes
Go to Neurology.org for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.
- Received August 19, 2015.
- Accepted in final form January 26, 2016.
- © 2016 American Academy of Neurology
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