Journal of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology 12(1):10-14, 2021
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in an Elderly Patient
Sang Yeon Kim, MDa , Hyun-June Shin, MDb , Ko Woon Kim, MD, PhDa,c
Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Koreaa Department of Neurology, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Koreab Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Koreac
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating central nervous system disease
involving various brain lesions requiring differential diagnosis. A 63-year-old man presented
with psychiatric symptoms and abulia. The patient’s symptoms improved after treatment with
high-dose steroids but recurred as a tumefactive lesion related to early steroid tapering due to
complication. The patient was diagnosed with ADEM through brain biopsy after excluding other
demyelinating diseases and autoimmune encephalitis based on various laboratory tests. The
patient completely recovered after administration of a sufficient duration of steroid treatment.
This report suggests that long-term steroid treatment or alternative immunosuppressive agents
should be considered in ADEM patients with diabetes.
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology 12(1):10-14, 2021
