[Different clinical and electroencephalographic aspects of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Apropos of 51 cases].

The authors have studied 51 cases of SSPE, mainly focusing their attention upon clinical and EEG signs of the onset of the illness. Clinical disorders have been classified in the 3 following categories: psychic prevailing, neurologic prevailing, and visual disorders prevailing. These 3 categories do not have the same evolution and may not have the same prognosis. Concerning EEG disorders, the typical periodic complex topography allows to recognize 3 groups: bilateral and symmetrical complexes, bilateral but asymmetrical complexes, and unilateral complexes. These 3 groups may be further analysed, according to an anterior or posterior prevalence of the periodic complex. The authors think that this distinction may be of interest for diagnostic precision.