Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in adults - UpToDate

INTRODUCTION Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), also known as postinfectious encephalomyelitis, is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Commonly triggered by viral infections, ADEM is caused by an inflammatory reaction in the brain and spinal cord. The onset of encephalopathy and multifocal neurologic deficits is acute and often rapidly progressive. This topic will review the pathology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of ADEM in adults. Clinical aspects of ADEM in children are discussed separately. (See "Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in children: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis" and "Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in children: Treatment and prognosis".) PATHOGENESIS The pathogenesis of ADEM is reviewed here briefly and discussed in greater detail separately. (See "Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in children: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis", section on

INTRODUCTION Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), also known as postinfectious encephalomyelitis, is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Commonly triggered by viral infections, ADEM is caused by an inflammatory reaction in the brain and spinal cord. The onset of encephalopathy and multifocal neurologic deficits is acute and often rapidly progressive. This topic will review the pathology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of ADEM in adults. Clinical aspects of ADEM in children are discussed separately. (See "Acute disseminated encep