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Neurology (Expert Forum)
ADEM diagnosed
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ADEM diagnosed
by Hans__0, May 25, 1998 12:00AM
My son of 3 years old was a little tired and walked clumsily. After MRI
examination on friday, the neurologist diagnosed him having ADEM
(Acute Dissimenated EncephaloMyelitis). The standard treatment is steroids
(prednison) and antibiotics. The treatment was started on friday evening at
20:00. The next morning at about 11:00 he was moaning softly and kicking.
His blatter seemed to be the problem (it was very full) and a catheter was
applied. The left side of his body got stiff after a while, followed by the
right side. Since this beheaviour could be caused bij an epileptic attack,
an EEG was made. The neurologist called it 'messy' and could not determine
an epileptic attack. His breathing got very deep and fast and his eyes
started to roll. He was then taken to the MRI again, but according to the
neurologist, no dramatic change in the image was observed.
He was moved to the I.C. that saturday after the MRI-scan. Sunday an EEG
was made and no activity was measured. He died monday morning at 07:45.
This was about 3 weeks ago and we are still shocked. There is one
question that isn't answered : 'What caused his death ?'. We have given
permission for autopsie ofcourse, but that takes about 8 weeks before we
get some results.
I would like to ask if this sudden change (he was eating a sandwich
saturday morning and asked for his sisters and his dad) is common with
patients with ADEM ?
Dear Hans:
I am sorry about your terrible loss. Certainly this is a sad event for your
entire family. Only an autopsy might give final answers but even then
you may not be able to get all the answers that you are seeking.
ADEM is a terrible disease that presents very mildly but know that it
has very poor outcomes even though the causative agent may not be isolated.
The treatment is steroids and patients often develop seizures. The reported
mortality rates can be as high as 20%-30%. Even in patients who survive
there could be very devastating permanent neurological damage.
I hope this will answer some of your questions. Once again, I am sorry about
your loss!
