The natural history of acute disseminated leukoencephalitis. A serial magnetic resonance imaging study.

The natural history of acute disseminated (leuko)encephalitis (ADE) in a 3-year-old girl who did not receive steroid therapy is reported. Serial MR studies disclosed: 1) white matter lesions resolved spontaneously, though very slowly, 2) active disease persisted for around three months and coincided with the onset of new subcortical lesions. These subcortical lesions were associated with hyperactivity, suggesting a possible etiologic correlation.