Rabies encephalitis mimicking the electrophysiological pattern of brain death. A case report

Abstract

A 48-year-old woman was referred from Zaire with suspected rabies encephalitis. Survival was 34 days after the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of rabies was ultimately proven after brain autopsy. Serial neurophysiological investigations, including EEG and multimodality evoked potentials and radiological examinations (cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomodensitometry) were performed. Whereas the clinical findings and EEG were compatible with brain death at the end of the course, this diagnosis could be definitely ruled out by multimodality evoked potentials, magnetic resonance imaging and autopsy. The validity of multimodality evoked potentials is discussed in this particular setting.