ACUTE DISSEMINATED ENCEPHALOMYELITIS - THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

The diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is freque ntly missed or delayed with consequent delay in instituting therapy in the crucial phase of the illness. The role of MRI in the diagnosis of ADEM is well established, however, the value of its early utilization of treatment on the outcome of patients has not been adequately stres sed, Three patients with ADEM are described, Delay in the diagnosis of the first was associated with severe sequelae, while in the other two early diagnosis and institution of corticosteroid therapy which was f acilitated by MRI, was associated with a better outcome. MRI should be carried out early once the diagosis of ADEM is entertained.