Plasma Exchange for Autoimmune Encephalitis and Acute Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis in Children: Clinical and Radiological Characteristics

Abstract

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a term used to indicate onset of acute neuropsychiatric symptoms with deterioration of consciousness, seizures and focal neurological deficit secondary to a presumed autoimmune aetiology. Infections such as acute bacterial or viral encephalitis, toxins and other causes of encephalopathy should be excluded. Additionally, a search for an aetiological factor should include testing blood and CSF for the likely causative antibodies.