ATYPICAL ,FULMINANT PRESENTATION OF SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) is a chronic complication of measles with a delayed onset. It results from persistent infection with an altered measles virus .Children infected with measles under the age of one year carry a 16 times greater risk of SSPE than those infected at age five years or later.Clinically SSPE has a four-stage course over many months to two or more years. Atypical fulminant form of SSPE occurs in about 10 of all patients .Unlike classical SSPE, in atypical form there are no defined stages in clinical presentation due to rapid course .A high index of suspicion is needed to detect SSPE with atypical presentation .For the diagnosis of SSPE, subclinical infection cannot be ruled out even in patients without history of measles. Early diagnosis is very important for the effectiveness of treatment.