Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and viral encephalitis: An unusual and misleading imaging

Abstract

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare illness. It is characterized by different presentations like encephalopathy, seizures, hemiplegia, and visual symptoms. We present a patient who presented seizures and encephalopathy. Brain MRI showed symmetrical white and gray matter lesions. He was treated with acyclovir for viral encephalitis and given immunotherapy for ADEM. The radiological findings may be inconclusive in some cases, hence differential diagnosis of both viral encephalitis and ADEM needs to be considered. Early immunotherapy is required in such fulminant cases.