Rapidly fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a 19-year-old man.

The rare case of a 19-year-old man who suffered a fulminant course of 'subacute' sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) leading to death in 6 weeks from the onset of the first symptoms is described. This patient was part of the first reported SSPE cluster in the Netherlands, of which the other 3 patients died 2-6 years after diagnosis was made. In addition, a review of the literature on the rare occurrence of rapidly progressive SSPE was performed.