Case Report
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Masquerading as eclampsia: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Sauvik Paul, Bhuwan Jain, Sohan Paikray*, Richa Singh Chauhan, Md Sabah Siddiqui, Saravana Sukriya and Rohini Rokkam
Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
*Corresponding author:Sohan Paikray, Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. E-mail Id: sohanpaikray@gmail.com
Article Information:Submission: 01/08/2025; Accepted: 15/09/2025; Published: 20/09/2025
Copyright: © 2025 Paul S, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, progressive neurological disorder caused by persistent measles virus infection. While typically seen in children, adult and postpartum presentations are uncommon and diagnostically challenging.
Aim: To provide the readers a valuable clinical insight to the diagnostic challenges posed by rare neurological conditions presenting outside their usual demographic, and underscores the potential of emerging treatment strategies to improve outcomes in SSPE.
Case: A 26-year-old postpartum female presented with behavioral changes, high-grade fever, and myoclonic jerks that began during pregnancy. She later developed decorticate posturing and hypothalamic dysfunction. CSF and serum analysis revealed elevated anti-measles antibodies. MRI and EEG findings supported the diagnosis of SSPE.
Results: The patient was treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (2 g/kg over 5 days) and Isoprinosine (100 mg/kg/day). Marked clinical improvement was observed, including resolution of jerks and improved Glasgow Coma Scale score. This combination therapy showed potential benefit in early SSPE.
Aim: To provide the readers a valuable clinical insight to the diagnostic challenges posed by rare neurological conditions presenting outside their usual demographic, and underscores the potential of emerging treatment strategies to improve outcomes in SSPE.
Case: A 26-year-old postpartum female presented with behavioral changes, high-grade fever, and myoclonic jerks that began during pregnancy. She later developed decorticate posturing and hypothalamic dysfunction. CSF and serum analysis revealed elevated anti-measles antibodies. MRI and EEG findings supported the diagnosis of SSPE.
Results: The patient was treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (2 g/kg over 5 days) and Isoprinosine (100 mg/kg/day). Marked clinical improvement was observed, including resolution of jerks and improved Glasgow Coma Scale score. This combination therapy showed potential benefit in early SSPE.
Keywords:SSPE; IVIg; Isoprinosine; Measles