Adult onset of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: a case report.

A new case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis with onset in adult life is reported. Clinical picture was characterized by a maculopathy, followed two years after by behavioural disturbances, psychomotor impairment, pyramidal signs and left-side myelonic jerks synchronously with the typical periodic R-complex in the EEG. CT-scan and MRI showed a wide demyelinative lesion in the right temporo-occipital area of the brain. Elevated antibody titers to measles virus in serum and CSF were present. Death occurred within 6 months while in coma. The neuropathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of SSPE revealing widespread inflammatory lesions in the grey and white matter areas of demyelinization more evident in the right temporo-occipital regions and several Cowdry type A inclusions in glial cells and neurons.