ACUTE DISSEMINATED ENCEPHALOMYELITIS - A CASE-HISTORY

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rarely reported demye linating condition of the central nervous system, usually affecting ch ildren and young adults. The case of a 23-year-old woman diagnosed as suffering from ADEM is presented. Details are given of her assessment and attempted rehabilitation with particular reference to speech and l anguage. Differentiation of ADEM from multiple sclerosis (MS) is probl ematic and may be clarified by examination of the pathological effects of the disease processes on speech and language. A general review of the scant literature is included and findings in this patient are comp ared and contrasted to them.