TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Autoimmune Disorders of the Brain A1 - Wells, Robert G. PY - 2015 T2 - Diagnostic Imaging of Infants and Children AB - Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) disorder. Patients with ADEM have multifocal inflammatory (but noninfectious) lesions within the brain or spinal cord. There is usually a history of a preceding upper respiratory infection or immunization within a few weeks of onset of the neurological manifestations. The pathophysiology likely involves an excessive immunological response that attacks myelin. The histological features include infiltration of monocytoid cells and perivenous demyelination. Patients with ADEM usually experience a sudden onset of multifocal neurological signs and symptoms. The CNS lesions may completely subside within a few weeks, or progress to glial scars. Important considerations in the diagnosis of ADEM include the clinical presentation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, neuroimaging studies, and the absence of another definable cause of the symptoms. The clinical differential diagnosis includes multiple sclerosis, leukodystrophy, and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. ADEM is a monophasic disorder. Multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis refers to a relapsing form.1–4 SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1148948978 ER -