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Purpose: Febrile seizures (FSs) are the most common type of seizure in the first 5 years of life and are frequently associated with viral infections. Influenza infection is associated with a variety of neurological conditions, including FSs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical implications of influenza infection in FSs. Methods: In total, 388 children with FS were divided into two groups: FS with influenza infection (n=75) and FSs without influenza infection (n=313). Their medical records, including seizure type, frequency, duration, and familial history of FSs or epilepsy, were retrospectively reviewed and the clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results: In total, 75 of the 388 children (19.3%) had FSs associated with influenza infection; such children were significantly older than those with FSs without influenza infection (34.9± 22.3 months vs. 24.4± 14.2 months; P <0.001). The children who had more than two febrile seizures episodes were more prevalent in children with FS with influenza infection [40/75 (53.3%) vs. 92/313 (29.4%); P <0.01]. Children older than 60 months were more likely to have influenza infection compared to those aged less than 60 months [11/22 (50%) vs. 64/366 (17.5%); P=0.001]. Conclusion: Influenza infection may be associated with FSs in older children, and with recurrence of FSs. Its role in the development of afebrile seizures or subsequent epilepsy requires further investigation with long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menkes disease is a rare, neurodegenerative, copper metabolism disorder characterized by mutations in ATP7A gene. Clinical symptoms include epilepsy, growth delay, reduced muscle strength, skin hyperextension, hair deformation and urologic abnormalities. However, since these clinical symptoms occur 2-3 months after birth, early diagnosis of Menkes disease is very difficult for clinicians. We report here the case of a patient who initially presented urinary tract infection followed by neurologic symptoms of Menkes disease; he was accurately diagnosed via ATP7A genetic analysis and found to harbor a novel mutation. Although neurological symptoms are the primary diagnostic feature of Menkes disease, clinicians should take into account urinary abnormalities as well, which may be an important clue to the early diagnosis of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL) or Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease are a rare, self-limited lymphadenopathy accompanied by fever and various extranodal manifestations. Although neurological complications occasionally occur in HNL, cerebellar symptoms are very rare. Here we report a 15-year-old male patient who was admitted to Kyung Hee University College of Medicine complaining of headache, fever, and axillary lymph node enlargement. The patient did not respond to antibiotics. We performed excisional biopsies on the involved lymph nodes. We diagnosed HNL and the patient initially seemed to recover. However, the headache and fever then worsened and he developed diplopia, ataxia, and action tremor on the 5th hospital day. An action tremor was evident on conducting the finger to nose test, he failed the Romberg test and tandem gait. Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and an elevated protein level were noted. Viral and tuberculosis markers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were all negative. We diagnosed him as having HNL accompanied by aseptic meningitis and cerebellitis, which were suspected to be associated with an immunemediated mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]