Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis. A successful recovery
D. Seales and M. Greer
Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
A 50-year-old woman developed acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis
approximately 7 days after the onset of a benign respiratory infection.
Mycoplasmal pneumonia was suspected because of Coomb's positive hemolysis,
cold agglutinins, and sensitivity to erythromycin base but was not proved.
Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis was demonstrated by brain biopsy 24
hours after admission. The patient recovered without lasting sequelae
following reduction of increased intracranial pressure by mannitol,
hyperventilation, and phenobarbital and prolonged immunosuppression by
plasmapheresis, steroids, and cyclophosphamide.
