[Plasmapheresis treatment in 2 children with SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis). Various considerations on symptomatology, pathophysiology and therapy].

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease in children and young adults. The course of the disease is 'typically' progressive until a vegetative state and death. Otherwise, the course might be 'atypical', with periods of relative stability or even some improvement. We describe two patients one of whom showed the typical course of the disease, whereas the other one showed the atypical form. Both patients were treated with plasmapheresis without noticeable favorable effects. The clinical symptomatology, the pathogenesis and the various therapeutical approaches are discussed.