Rasmussen's disease belongs to the category of rare inflammatory ailments flaring up in the brain. As a rule, children under the age of 15 become ill with this encephalitis. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in six-year-olds. In adolescents and adults, this kind of encephalitis is very rare.
This or that hemisphere of the brain is involved in the process. As the disease progresses, doctors notice progressive atrophy in it. Doctors point to the extreme resistance of the disease to treatment methods. In fact, Rasmussen's disease is encephalitis with specific symptoms that cannot be treated.
Probable Causes of Rasmussen Encephalitis
So far, the etiology of the disease has not been established. Scientists have identified only three key factors that can initiate and support the progression of a pathological condition that has arisen in the central nervous system. Many doctors believe that Rasmussen syndrome is caused by autoimmune antibodies, viruses and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes.
The role of cytomegalovirus, which was isolated from the cerebral cortex of adult patients, is possible. It is possible that these pathogens cause inflammation, which develops into an incurable disease. In addition, it can be triggered by complications that appear after previously transferred infections.
Now most scientists believe that it is autoimmune antibodies that cause Rasmussen encephalitis. The causes of the disease are also believed to be due to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes.
In patients with Rasmussen syndrome, among relatives there are sometimes those who suffer from other autoimmune ailments. For example, Behcet’s disease. This leads to the assumption that relatives have common genetic aspects involved in pathological processes. In particular, factors such as HLA halotypes are called.
Symptoms of Rasmussen encyphalitis
Initially, the disease manifests itself with focal motor seizures. As the pathology develops, local myoclonuses join the attacks. Over time, seizures increase. They are accompanied by muscle cramps, loss of consciousness and falling. Often, patients experience seizures during sleep.
Progressing, the disease is manifested by loss of strength and partial numbness that occurs in any half of the body. Studies indicate a decrease in activity in the area of the affected hemisphere of the brain.
Diagnostics
Symptoms are pronounced in people suffering from Rasmussen syndrome for a year or more. Encephalitis with such an etiology is tried to recognize as early as possible. This allows us to hope for a positive effect from immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, first of all, they resort to the study of the clinical picture, conduct MRI and EEG.
Treatments for Rasmussen encephalitis
Since there is still debate about the causes of Rasmussen syndrome, encephalitis is not treated according to generally accepted methods. With early detection of the disease, antiepileptic drugs are prescribed. They recommend a diet aimed at increasing the intake of foods fortified with fats and reducing the amount of food containing carbohydrates in the diet. The use of plasmapheresis, glucocorticoids, immunoglobulins is often considered appropriate.
In the treatment of the disease, they often resort to radical methods. Patients who have had serious illnesses and complex brain injuries need a nerve cell transplant. Now, whenever possible, they try not to conduct craniotomy.
Sometimes patients are offered surgery - hemispherectomy. After it, the course of Rasmussen syndrome is facilitated. Encephalitis, of course, leaves its traces, expressed by paresis or problems with speech. However, seizures in a patient occur less frequently.
Refusing surgery is undesirable, despite the fact that it does not lead to complete healing. Indeed, the development of the disease is exacerbated by a persistent neurological deficit, against which mental retardation and paralysis are observed.
In cases of bilateral damage to the brain (both hemispheres), the prognosis, unfortunately, is unfavorable. Cases of death among patients with Rasmussen encephalitis are not uncommon.