The
mechanisms for this form of encephalitis are unknown.
Various hypotheses have been advanced but the one that
is deemed most likely is that it represents an autoimmune
process of some sort. Midbrain, cerebral and medullary
lesions have been observed, and in 1/5th of cases myelitis
is predominant. Increases in CSF pressure, CSF lymphocytosis,
and increases in CSF protein content all represent non-specific
findings.
One-third of all cases have proved fatal and half of
all survivors have had some residual neurologic defect,
ranging from a convulsive disorder to profound neurologic
deficit.
|
