REAPPRAISAL OF RASMUSSENS-SYNDROME WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON TREATMENTWITH HIGH-DOSES OF STEROIDS

Eight patients with Rasmussen's syndrome and epilepsia partialis conti nua were treated with high doses of steroids, including pulses of meth ylprednisolone and prednisone in decreasing doses. Three patients exhi bited clinical, radiological, or histological evidence of bilateral in volvement. Epilepsy and focal deficit decreased within six months in s even patients. Only five patients, in whom steroid treatment had begun less than 15 months after the onset of epilepsia partialis continua, experienced a lasting effect although they had periodic episodes of tr ansient relapse. Treatment with high doses of steroids seems advisable during the first year after onset of epilepsia partialis continua, be fore hemiplegia has developed and in cases with bilateral involvement.