Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, electrophysiological, radiological and CSF features of fifteen cases diagnosed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Patient and Methods: Age, gender, clinical, radiological, electroencephalographic features and serum-CSF measles antibody levels of 15 cases who were hospitalized between 1992-2004 in Neurology and Pediatry Clinics were determined, retrospectively. The stage of disease was defined according to the clinical signs.

Results:

The study included 4 women and 11 men aged between 6-30. Two late onset cases were 27 and 30 years old. in ali cases, the stage of the disease was level 2. The latent period between onset of symptoms and diagnosis changed between 15 days and 3 months. The mental stage of the cases was not influenced until appearance of myoclonic jerks. Eight cases had measles infection before age 2 and none had received measles vaccine. in ali cases, except one with late onset, the background activity in the EEG showed mild slowing in teta range. Ali cases had periodic discharges consisting of high amplitude sharp-slow wawes repeating with an interval of 0.5-1.5 seconds. Serum and CSF measles IgG antibody levels were elevated in ali cases. MRI investigations revealed abnormal findings in 8 cases. There was no correlation between MRI abnormalities and the course of the disease. Fulminant course was determined in four cases who reached stage 2 within one month.

Conclusion:

Our findings indicate that SSPE is stili a serious health problem in Turkey.

Keywords: SSPE, late onset, clinical course