Elderly-onset acute necrotizing encephalopathy mimicking severe heat stroke: a case report and review of the literature.
Acute Med Surg
; 6(3): 316-320, 2019 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31304037
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), known as influenza-associated encephalitis, typically affects children. CASE PRESENTATION A 70-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with altered consciousness, a high temperature, and severe hypotension. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed no abnormalities; thus, a diagnosis of suspected severe heat stroke was made. On day 2, repeated head CT revealed bilateral symmetrical lesions to the thalamus, and a rapid influenza antigen test was positive. Based on the CT findings and the medical history of influenza, a differential diagnosis of ANE was made. Subsequently, brain edema spread across the whole brain, and the patient died on day 21.CONCLUSION:
In elderly patients, differentiating ANE from severe heat stroke in a high-temperature environment is difficult because of the similarities in clinical symptoms due to multiple organ failure.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Acute Med Surg
Year:
2019
Type:
Article