Steroid Therapy in Some Types of Post‐infectious Encephalomyelitis

Summary The neurological complications of the contagious exanthemata may be very severe and dangerous. Residual symptoms are not uncommon. Even transitory anoxemia can cause cerebral lesions. Treatment by tracheotomy and respirator is somtimes life‐saving. There is much evidence in support of the opinion that neurological signs following measles, chicken pox, and rubella are of anaphylactic origin. Attempts at steroid therapy may be justified. Treatment should be applied only for a few days, and then only during a stage of the illness when good antibody production can be counted on. The clinical course in three cases successfully treated with cortisone and in two cases treated with prednisone without improvement are described. Until we know more about this therapy it should be reserved for severe cases with signs of cerebral oedema or cranial nerve paralysis.