Mild Encephalitis with a Reversible Splenial Lesion (MERS) Accompanied by Myelitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) can present with various manifestations of central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. However, MERS with myelitis has rarely been reported. We reported a case of MERS with concomitant myelitis. Case Report: A 35-year-old male was admitted to our department because of decreased mentality. Before admission, he complained of headache, fever over 38.0oC and urinary retention. Brain MRI showed a lesion on the splenium and spine MRI revealed diffuse lesions in the cervicothoracic segments. He was treated with an IV steroid pulse regimen for 5 days. Remarkably, he recovered from his neurological symptoms after 1 month of symptom onset. Conclusion: This is the first report on MERS with concomitant myelitis in Korea. While the etiology is unknown, certain trophisms of infectious pathogens to the CNS structure may have a role in this syndrome.

Keywords

• Encephalitis
• Myelitis
• Corpus callosum
• Urinary retention
• Ataxia of gait