[Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in an adult: report of a case].

A case of SSPE in a 29-year-old man is presented. The clinical picture was typical with progressive dementia associated with periodic myoclonus. The electroencephalogram showed periodic complexes; the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measles antibodies obtained by complement fixation were 1:256 and 1:32 respectively; the CSF gamma globulin was raised (32%) with an oligoclonal distribution. The fundoscopic examination demonstrated a retinal change in maculae and the computed tomography showed cysts and calcifications characteristic of Cysticercus cellulosae. The latter findings probably were not implicated with the SSPE because neurocysticercosis is a very common disease in this region of the country and frequently there are asymptomatic cysts and/or calcifications on CT. The essential clinical and epidemiologic picture of SSPE are discussed and probably the cases with an adult onset had a more rapid outcome to death.