Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Case Report

Case of adult influenza type A virus-associated encephalopathy successfully treated with primary multidisciplinary treatments

Takeo Sakurai, M.D.1), Akio Kimura, M.D.1), Yuji Tanaka, M.D.1), Isao Hozumi, M.D.1), Shinji Ogura, M.D.2) and Takashi Inuzuka, M.D.1)

1)Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine
2)Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicinel Advanced Critical Care Center, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine

The patient in this study was a 43-year-old woman who had become unconscious after contracting influenza virus type A infection. Brain CT showed severe brain swelling. Brain MRI also showed brain edema with no specific abnormality on T2-weighted images. We diagnosed her as having influenza type A virus-associated encephalopahty and treated her with Oseltamivir, methylprednisolone pulse therapy, and a high dose of intravenous immunoglobulins. In addition, we treated her with hypothermia and a high dose of intravenous ATIII because of the severe brain swelling and possibility of DIC. After the treatments, brain swelling had improved, and she regained consciousness without any sequelae. Adult influenza virus-associated encephalopathy is rare. We were able to successfully treat our patient with primary multidisciplinary treatments without causing sequelae.

(CLINICA NEUROL, 47: 639|643, 2007)
key words: influenza type A virus, influenza-associated encephalopathy, brain edema, hypothermia, IL-6

(Received: 19-Dec-06)