RASMUSSEN'S ENCEPHALITIS

Course overview

Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE), also called Rasmussen’s syndrome, is a rare inflammatory disorder of the CNS characterized by frequent convulsive seizures (i.e., epilepsy), loss of speech and motor skills, hemiparesis (i.e., paralysis on one side of the body), chronic inflammation of the brain, dementia, and general mental decline, all of which usually progress over a period of about 1 year. Though not limited to children, RE occurs most often in children under the age of 10. RE is the most distinctive form of epilepsia partialis continua, an overarching term for disorders of neurotransmission from various causes that are characterized by partial seizures. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding RE, including its clinical presentation, symptoms, and treatment, and to aid in caring for the patient with this diagnosis. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.