[Disseminated encephalomyelitis. A study of 5 cases]

Five cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADE) with a follow-up longer than 5 years are presented. The clinical picture, CT images, MR and laboratory tests, specially LCR and evoked potentials presented in a variable form. In two cases the symptoms were preceded by viral infection. The course was acute in one case while the other four evolved in a subacute form during weeks. In two patients a pseudotumoral pattern was observed in the CT and MR images leading to difficulties in the diagnosis. Clinical improvement was accompanied by a partial resolution of the lesions. Steroid treatment improved symptomatology in all the cases. Knowledge of this process may avoid the unnecessary practice of other, more aggressive tests.