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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1994 Nov;57(11):1325–1333. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.57.11.1325

Reappraisal of Rasmussen's syndrome with special emphasis on treatment with high doses of steroids.

D Chinchilla 1, O Dulac 1, O Robain 1, P Plouin 1, G Ponsot 1, J F Pinel 1, D Graber 1
PMCID: PMC1073181  PMID: 7964806

Abstract

Eight patients with Rasmussen's syndrome and epilepsia partialis continua were treated with high doses of steroids, including pulses of methylprednisolone and prednisone in decreasing doses. Three patients exhibited clinical, radiological, or histological evidence of bilateral involvement. Epilepsy and focal deficit decreased within six months in seven patients. Only five patients, in whom steroid treatment had begun less than 15 months after the onset of epilepsia partialis continua, experienced a lasting effect although they had periodic episodes of transient relapse. Treatment with high doses of steroids seems advisable during the first year after onset of epilepsia partialis continua, before hemiplegia has developed and in cases with bilateral involvement.

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Selected References

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