On acute encephalitic parkinsonian syndrome: Case report and review of the recent literature

A 2-year-old child suffering from an acute febrile condition associated with repeated generalized convulsions fol lowed by coma is presented. The tem perature curve showed a biphasic p a ttern and reached values below 36 °C. Since the tenth day o f illness the patient showed akinesia, amimia, slurred speech, trem o r at rest and at action, lead-pipe and cog-wheel rigidity. His gait was hesitating, shuffling and on broad base. T h ree weeks later, these signs completely disappeared; CSF virus cultures grew an enterovirus. The diagnosis of sporadic ‘Von Economo’s encephalitis’ is raised and a review o f the recent lite ratu re on this subject is given.