Influenza A (H3N2) associated acute necrotising encephalopathy

Abstract

We present a case of 16 year old female admitted with complaints of influenza like symptoms followed by convulsions and sudden impairment of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were found in bilateral thalami including cerebellum. Diagnosis of influenza associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy was made on the basis of clinical features, neuroimaging findings and isolation of influenza A(H3N2) virus from throat swab. This is probably first case of Influenza associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy reported in India in 2009.