This report serves to document a case of CNS demyelination occurring 24h after influenza vaccination in a middle-aged patient. - GreenMedInfo Summary
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Influenza vaccine-induced CNS demyelination in a 50-year-old male.
Am J Case Rep. 2014 Aug 31 ;15:368-73. Epub 2014 Aug 31. PMID: 25175754
Aaron Sacheli
PATIENT: Male, 50.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Acute post-vaccination CNS demyelinating disorder.
SYMPTOMS: Blurred vision• hemiparesis • hemiplegia • hypertonia • itching • paresthesia.
MEDICATION: -.
CLINICAL PROCEDURE: MRI.
SPECIALTY: Neurology.
OBJECTIVE: Rare disease.
BACKGROUND: There are several categories of primary inflammatory demyelinating disorders, which comprise clinically similar neurologic sequelae. Of interest, clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) are 2 demyelinating conditions of the central nervous system (CNS), whose clinical similarity pose a significant challenge to definitive diagnosis. Yet, both remain important clinical considerations in patients with neurologic signs and symptoms in the context of recent vaccination.
CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 50-year-old Caucasian male with a course of progressive, focal, neurologic deficits within 24 h after receiving the influenza vaccine. Subsequent work-up revealed the possibility of an acute central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating episode secondary to the influenza vaccine, best described as either CIS or ADEM.
CONCLUSIONS: Case reports of CNS demyelination following vaccinations have been previously noted, most often occurring in the context of recent influenza vaccination. This report serves to document a case of CNS demyelination occurring 24 h after influenza vaccination in a middle-aged patient, and will describe some salient features regarding the differential diagnosis of CIS and ADEM, as well as their potential management.