Severe Form of Acute Influenza Encephalopathy with Biphasic Seizures and Late Reduced Diffusion

Abstract

Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) is clinically characterized by biphasic seizures on days 1, and 4 to 6; radiologically by no acute abnormality is visible during the first two days, while reduced diffusion in the subcortical white matter is seen during days 3 to 9, finally resulting in cerebral atrophy. We report here a Japanese child with clinically severe AESD associated with influenza A, whose sequential magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebral swelling on day 1, reduced diffusion and central herniation on day 6, followed by cortical laminar necrosis and atrophy on day 30. The findings from this patient suggests that AESD has clinically and radiologically a wider spectrum than previously considered.