Khair AM, Elsotouhy A, Batool M and Elsaid M
Background: Hurst disease is the rarest yet the most fatal form of acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis. There around 100 cases around the world, 10 of them are pediatric patients. The disease is quite severe in course and aggressive therapy is crucial to help improving the outcome. We are reporting a rather successful story of early recognition and treatment of young toddler with using all lines of known therapies simultaneously and aggressively. Case report: We are reporting 2 ½ years old girl who was previously healthy. She has some viral prodromal illness ended by severe encephalopathy. She has found to have novel H1N1 infection. Early plasma exchange and therapeutic hypothermia have been simultaneously utilized. There was obvious significant fast improvement in clinical status thereafter. Discussion: Immune therapy is advised in treating Hurst disease. One trial of hypothermia has been suggested in one case report. However, Combination of early use of plasma exchange and therapeutic hypothermia has not been reported in literature up to our knowledge. Our patient showed impressive clinical progress following these rarely used procedures. Conclusion: Recognition of autoimmune encephalitis especially the most severe forms is a must. If the patient shows enough clinical and radiological signs suggestive of Hurst disease, then aggressive immunotherapy and therapeutic hypothermia should be considered. A more favorable outcome might be reached using these therapies simultaneously
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