[Leukoencephalitis with hemiplegia during chickenpox]

Abstract

Background: Chickenpox encephalitis is usually mild and often presents as an acute cerebellar ataxia. Seizures and coma are uncommon.

Case report: A 4-year old girl presented generalized seizures. Two days after the onset of chickenpox, she developed ataxia and left hemiparesis on day 3, followed by left hemiplegia after 24 hours. The cerebral scan showed areas of subcortical hypodensity compatible with leuko-encephalitis. The EEG showed lesions of acute leuko-encephalitis located in the right sub-cortical temporo-fronto-parietal area. The patient was given cortico-steroid and recovered slowly but completely.

Conclusions: Hemiplegia, an exceptional event during the course of chickenpox, makes the diagnosis of chickenpox leuko-encephalitis difficult; IRM appears to be a contributing factor.