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Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)

What are the causes?

This illness usually follows in the wake of exanthema (rapidly erupting rash) or after other viral infections or immunisations. There is usually a latent period of days to two to three weeks.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is frequently abnormal showing an increase in white cells and protein. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is abnormal in most cases showing diffuse slowing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) typically shows multiple areas of abnormality in the white matter of the brain.

View What are the symptoms? What are the symptoms?  |  How is it diagnosed? View How is it diagnosed?

Medical text last updated October 2000 by Professor C Hawkins. Last reviewed October 2005 by Professor C Hawkins, Professor of Clinical Neurology, Keele University and Consultant Neurologist to the Regional Neuroscience Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

 

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