[Neurological manifestations of dengue: study of 41 cases]

Abstract

The increase of encephalitis and meningoencephalitis in patients with dengue, diagnosed at a public hospital, Neurology State reference, we adopted systematic data collection.

Objective: The objective was to present 41 cases of neurological manifestations of dengue and to compare data with literature.

Method: This is a descriptive study, retrospective from March to July 1997 and, prospective, from February to May 2002, analyzing damaged neurological regions and diagnostic of 41 patients.

Results: Involved regions were brain (5/7 cases - 71.4%, in 1997, and 20/34 cases - 58.8%, in 2002), spinal cord (2/34 cases - 5.9% in 2002) and peripheral nerves (2/7 cases - 28.6% in 1997 and 12/34 cases - 35.3% in 2002). There was no meningeal involvement. According to topography, there was encephalic and peripheral nerves diagnosis in both periods and, exclusively in 2002, spinal cord damage. Cerebral hemorrhage and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis were diagnosed for the first time, as well as hemifacial spasm worsening as possible neurological manifestation of dengue.

Conclusion: This is the third casuistics in dengue and nervous system. Three dengue complications were diagnosed, for the first time registered on the literature.