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Hammed A, Badour M, Baqla S, Amer F. Diagnosis and treatment of Rasmussen's encephalitis pose a big challenge: Two case reports and literature review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 68:102606. [PMID: 34401124 PMCID: PMC8358639 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare disease of unknown etiology that causes severe chronic unihemispheric inflammatory disease of the central nervous system mainly in children. It leads to intractable seizures, cognitive decline and progressive neurological deficits in the affected hemisphere. We report two cases of RE, as defined by fulfillment of the 2005 Bien criteria. The diagnostic challenge of characterizing this rare disease will be highlighted by the extensive serum, CSF, MR imaging and EEG data in the two patients. In addition, we will review the various forms of therapy attempted in these two patients, namely anti-epileptic drug therapy and immunomodulatory therapy. Hemispherectomy was done for the second patient with favorable outcomes of controlling seizures, but unfortunately, he died because of meningitis. Until the causes of Rasmussen's encephalitis are known, it is difficult to anticipate how treatments will improve. Such a situation creates a therapeutic dilemma; hemispherectomy is not favored because of the inevitable postoperative functional deficits, but a real risk exists that treatments used to delay progression of the disease will defer definitive surgical treatment beyond the time when an optimum post-hemispherectomy outcome could be expected. Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) causes severe chronic unihemispheric inflammatory disease. RE should be suspected in any patient with refractory seizures. Its recognition is important because early intervention with surgery can improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hammed
- Tishreen University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Lattakia, Syria
| | - Maysaa Badour
- Pediatric University Hospital, Division of Neurology, Damascus, Syria
| | - Sameer Baqla
- Pediatric University Hospital, Division of Neurology, Damascus, Syria
| | - Fatema Amer
- Pediatric University Hospital, Division of Neurology, Damascus, Syria
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2
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Castellano JF, Meyer JA, Lado FA. A Case Series of Adult-Onset Rasmussen's Encephalitis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges. Front Neurol 2017; 8:564. [PMID: 29118737 PMCID: PMC5660978 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE) is a rare neurologic disorder characterized by progressive cerebral hemiatrophy and medically refractory epilepsy. The majority of current literature on this topic is focused on the pediatric population. In this case series, we will review three cases of adult-onset RE, as defined by fulfillment of the 2005 Bien criteria. The diagnostic challenge of characterizing this rare disease will be highlighted by the extensive serum, CSF, and pathologic sampling in all three patients. MR imaging and EEG data will be examined over time to characterize hallmark findings as well as progression. In addition, we will review the various forms of therapy attempted in these three patients, namely anti-epileptic drug therapy and immunomodulatory therapy. We will also utilize this case series to critically evaluate the broader context of atypical presentations of this disease and the value of current diagnostic criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jenny A Meyer
- Saul Korey Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
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Owens GC, Chang JW, Huynh MN, Chirwa T, Vinters HV, Mathern GW. Evidence for Resident Memory T Cells in Rasmussen Encephalitis. Front Immunol 2016; 7:64. [PMID: 26941743 PMCID: PMC4763066 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare pediatric neuroinflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by intractable seizures, and progressive atrophy usually confined to one cerebral hemisphere. Surgical removal or disconnection of the affected cerebral hemisphere is currently the only intervention that effectively stops the seizures. Histopathological evaluation of resected brain tissue has shown that activated brain resident macrophages (microglia) and infiltrating T cells are involved in the inflammatory reaction. Here, we report that T cells isolated from seven RE brain surgery specimens express the resident memory T cell (TRM) marker CD103. CD103 was expressed by >50% of CD8+ αβ T cells and γδ T cells irrespective of the length of time from seizure onset to surgery, which ranged from 0.3 to 8.4 years. Only ~10% of CD4+ αβ were CD103+, which was consistent with the observation that few CD4+ T cells are found in RE brain parenchyma. Clusters of T cells in brain parenchyma, which are a characteristic of RE histopathology, stained for CD103. Less than 10% of T cells isolated from brain specimens from eight surgical cases of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), a condition that is also characterized by intractable seizures, were CD103+. In contrast to the RE cases, the percent of CD103+ T cells increased with the length of time from seizure onset to surgery. In sections of brain tissue from the FCD cases, T cells were predominantly found around blood vessels, and did not stain for CD103. The presence of significant numbers of TRM cells in RE brain irrespective of the length of time between clinical presentation and surgical intervention supports the conclusion that a cellular immune response to an as yet unidentified antigen(s) occurs at an early stage of the disease. Reactivated TRM cells may contribute to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey C Owens
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA , USA
| | - Julia W Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - My N Huynh
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA , USA
| | - Thabiso Chirwa
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA , USA
| | - Harry V Vinters
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gary W Mathern
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mattel Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Owens GC, Erickson KL, Malone CC, Pan C, Huynh MN, Chang JW, Chirwa T, Vinters HV, Mathern GW, Kruse CA. Evidence for the involvement of gamma delta T cells in the immune response in Rasmussen encephalitis. J Neuroinflammation 2015; 12:134. [PMID: 26186920 PMCID: PMC4506578 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0352-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare neuroinflammatory disease characterized by intractable seizures and progressive atrophy on one side of the cerebrum. Perivascular cuffing and clusters of T cells in the affected cortical hemisphere are indicative of an active cellular immune response. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and brain-infiltrating lymphocytes (BILs) were isolated from 20 RE surgery specimens by standard methods, and CD3+ T cell populations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Gamma delta T cell receptor spectratyping was carried out by nested PCR of reversed transcribed RNA extracted from RE brain tissue, followed by high resolution capillary electrophoresis. A MiSeq DNA sequencing platform was used to sequence the third complementarity determining region (CDR3) of δ1 chains. Results CD3+ BILs from all of the RE brain specimens comprised both αβ and γδ T cells. The median αβ:γδ ratio was 1.9 (range 0.58–5.2) compared with a median ratio of 7.7 (range 2.7–40.8) in peripheral blood from the same patients. The αβ T cells isolated from brain tissue were predominantly CD8+, and the majority of γδ T cells were CD4− CD8−. Staining for the early activation marker CD69 showed that a fraction of the αβ and γδ T cells in the BILs were activated (median 42 %; range 13–91 %, and median 47 %; range 14–99 %, respectively). Spectratyping T cell receptor (TCR) Vδ1-3 chains from 14 of the RE brain tissue specimens indicated that the γδ T cell repertoire was relatively restricted. Sequencing δ1 chain PCR fragments revealed that the same prevalent CDR3 sequences were found in all of the brain specimens. These CDR3 sequences were also detected in brain tissue from 15 focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) cases. Conclusion Neuroinflammation in RE involves both activated αβ and γδ T cells. The presence of γδ T cells with identical TCR δ1 chain CDR3 sequences in all of the brain specimens examined suggests that a non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted immune response to the same antigen(s) is involved in the etiology of RE. The presence of the same δ1 clones in CD brain implies the involvement of a common inflammatory pathway in both diseases. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0352-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey C Owens
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA.
| | - Kate L Erickson
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA.
| | - Colin C Malone
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA.
| | - Calvin Pan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - My N Huynh
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA.
| | - Julia W Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA. .,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Thabiso Chirwa
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA.
| | - Harry V Vinters
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA. .,Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA. .,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA. .,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Gary W Mathern
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA. .,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA. .,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA. .,Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Carol A Kruse
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Stein Plaza, Ste. 562, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA.,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
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Evidence for mTOR pathway activation in a spectrum of epilepsy-associated pathologies. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2014; 2:71. [PMID: 25005575 PMCID: PMC4230418 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-2-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Activation of the mTOR pathway has been linked to the cytopathology and epileptogenicity of malformations, specifically Focal Cortical Dysplasia (FCD) and Tuberous Sclerosis (TSC). Experimental and clinical trials have shown than mTOR inhibitors have anti-epileptogenic effects in TS. Dysmorphic neurones and balloon cells are hallmarks of FCDIIb and TSC, but similar cells are also occasionally observed in other acquired epileptogenic pathologies, including hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE). Our aim was to explore mTOR pathway activation in a range of epilepsy-associated pathologies and in lesion-negative cases. RESULTS 50 epilepsy surgical pathologies were selected including HS ILAE type 1 with (5) and without dysmorphic neurones (4), FCDIIa (1), FCDIIb (5), FCDIIIa (5), FCDIIIb (3), FCDIIId (3), RE (5) and cortex adjacent to cavernoma (1). We also included pathology-negative epilepsy cases; temporal cortex (7), frontal cortex (2), paired frontal cortical samples with different ictal activity according to intracranial EEG recordings (4), cortex with acute injuries from electrode tracks (5) and additionally non-epilepsy surgical controls (3). Immunohistochemistry for phospho-S6 (pS6) ser240/244 and ser235/236 and double-labelling for Iba1, neurofilament, GFAP, GFAPdelta, doublecortin, and nestin were performed. Predominant neuronal labelling was observed with pS6 ser240/244 and glial labelling with pS6 ser235/236 in all pathology types but with evidence for co-expression in a proportion of cells in all pathologies. Intense labelling of dysmorphic neurones and balloon cells was observed in FCDIIb, but dysmorphic neurones were also labelled in RE and HS. There was no difference in pS6 labelling in paired samples according to ictal activity. Double-labelling immunofluorescent studies further demonstrated the co-localisation of pS6 with nestin, doublecortin, GFAPdelta in populations of small, immature neuroglial cells in a range of epilepsy pathologies. CONCLUSIONS Although mTOR activation has been more studied in the FCDIIb and TSC, our observations suggest this pathway is activated in a variety of epilepsy-associated pathologies, and in varied cell types including dysmorphic neurones, microglia and immature cell types. There was no definite evidence from our studies to suggest that pS6 expression is directly related to disease activity.
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Press C, Wallace A, Chapman KE. The Janus-faced nature of Rasmussen's encephalitis. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2014; 21:129-36. [PMID: 25149947 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2014.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is an inflammatory unilateral progressive medically refractory epilepsy associated with hemiparesis, cognitive dysfunction, and hemispheric atrophy. Here, we present 2 cases from our institution that demonstrate the dual nature of RE in 2 similarly aged children. Overall, 2 types of RE have been described: type 1 has a short prodromal phase and more explosive onset and type 2 has a longer prodromal of partial seizures followed by hemiparesis and atrophy. Younger patients are more likely to fit into the type 1 presentation and have been described as more likely to have dual pathology. Perhaps the patients with a more acute onset are more likely to have a dual pathology as is found in our 2 cases. We review the typical findings in RE and discuss current treatment options, highlighting new experimental treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Press
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Adam Wallace
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Kevin E Chapman
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
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O'Rourke DJ, Bergin A, Rotenberg A, Peters J, Gorman M, Poduri A, Cryan J, Lidov H, Madsen J, Harini C. Rasmussen's encephalitis presenting as focal cortical dysplasia. EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR CASE REPORTS 2014; 2:86-9. [PMID: 25667877 PMCID: PMC4307873 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebcr.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare syndrome characterized by intractable seizures, often associated with epilepsia partialis continua and symptoms of progressive hemispheric dysfunction. Seizures are usually the hallmark of presentation, but antiepileptic drug treatment fails in most patients and is ineffective against epilepsia partialis continua, which often requires surgical intervention. Co-occurrence of focal cortical dysplasia has only rarely been described and may have implications regarding pathophysiology and management. We describe a rare case of dual pathology of Rasmussen's encephalitis presenting as a focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and discuss the literature on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J O'Rourke
- Dept. of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - A Bergin
- Dept. of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - A Rotenberg
- Dept. of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - J Peters
- Dept. of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - M Gorman
- Dept. of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - A Poduri
- Dept. of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - J Cryan
- Dept. of Neuropathology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - H Lidov
- Dept. of Neuropathology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - J Madsen
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
| | - C Harini
- Dept. of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
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