ACUTE, TOXIC (NONSUPPURATIVE) ENCEPHALITIS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

In the present study are recorded the clinicopathologic observations in five cases which may generally be classified as acute, toxic, non-suppurative encephalitis. The first three cases presented a rather unusual, though characteristic pathologic picture in the form of acute and peracute processes of liquefaction. In the last two cases, the pathologic changes were less characteristic and corresponded largely with the condition ordinarily described in toxic, noninflammatory lesions of the brain. The clinical features in cases 1 and 4 were discussed by Beverly,1who, however, did not give a detailed pathologic description. Nonsuppurative encephalitis has been known to occur: (1) as hemorrhagic encephalitis of the Struempell and Leichtenstern2type; (2) as postinfectious encephalitis, a sequel both to the exanthematous diseases and to influenza, as described by Oppenheim,3Abt4and others; (3) as epidemic encephalitis. But in recent years, a series of cases has been reported by various