RANBP2 Mutation in a Child with Recurrent Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy

Article information

Ann Child Neurol. 2020;28(2):66-68

Publication date (electronic) : 2020 January 31

doi : https://doi.org/10.26815/acn.2019.00213

Sung Hye Park, MD, Dong Hyun Kim, MD, Young Se Kwon, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea

Corresponding author: Young Se Kwon, MD Department of Pediatrics, Inha University School of Medicine, 27 Inhang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon 22332, Korea Tel: +82-32-890-3579, Fax: +82-32-890-2844 E-mail: ysped@inha.ac.kr

Received 2019 October 23; Revised 2019 December 26; Accepted 2020 January 2.

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare disease characterized by the rapid onset of fever, seizures, and decreased consciousness after a viral infection. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with ANE shows the symmetric involvement of the thalami, brainstem, cerebellum, and white matter [1]. Mutations in the Ran-binidng protein 2 (RANBP2) gene are associated with genetic and recurrent ANE [2]. Cases presented in northeast Asia have reported the association of RANBP2 mutations with familial ANE [3]. In the present study, we report a case of a child with ANE who had RANBP2 mutation-associated recurrent ANE.

A 3-year-old girl was admitted to our emergency room because of a seizure that lasted for 30 minutes and rapid loss of consciousness. The patient developed ANE at 11 months of age. At first onset, MRI showed lesions of olive and medial temporal lobe cortex, putamen, external capsule, and medial thalamus (Fig. 1A-C). However, her health improved and she did not develop any complications since this episode of ANE. Five days before the emergency room visit, the girl developed a fever of up to 40°C. One day before the admission, the girl experienced general weakness and episodes of vomiting. Neurological examination of the patient showed an increased motor tone, positive bilateral Babinski reflexes, and decorticate posturing. Blood biochemical analysis showed a white blood cell count of 3×10⁶/L, and C-reactive protein level of 0.3 mg/dL. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of respiratory sample of the patient indicated the presence of a rhinovirus infection. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis indicated a protein level of 57.5 mg/dL, and glucose level of 69 mL/dL, with a normal CSF pressure and white blood cell count. Brain MRI showed hypointense signals on T1-weighted images and hyperintense signals on T2-weighted images of the thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, pons, and medulla (Fig 1D-F), which were similar to those observed during the previous ANE episode. In particular, it was confirmed that thalamus lesions occurred at sites similar to the previous lesions (Fig. 1F). Results of sleep electroencephalography indicated an abnormal sleep record because of slightly suppressed background activities. The patient was initially administered intravenous methylprednisolone therapy, which was tapered over 4 weeks, along with antibiotic (ceftriaxone and vancomycin) and antiviral (acyclovir) therapy. The initial dose of methylprednisolone started at 30 mg/kg/day. Three days after starting dose, the dose was reduced by half of the initial dose.

Fig. 1.

(A, B, C) Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the first ANE episode showing the involvement of the pyramid and olive and that of the medial temporal lobe cortex, putamen, external capsule, and medial thalamus (black arrows). (D, E, F) The brain MRI of second ANE episode showing symmetric T2 hyperintense signals in the midbrain, bilateral pons and thalamus (white arrows).

Brain MRI performed after 1 month showed improvement in the clinical signs of ANE. However, the cognitive and motor functions of the patient did not improve. Next, a genetic test was performed to investigate the recurrent hypo- and hyperintense signals observed on the T1- and T2- weighted MRI. Results of the genetic test showed that the patient had an RANBP2 mutation (c.1754C>T, p.Thr585Met), which was absent in her father and mother (Fig. 2). At present, the patient is undergoing rehabilitation therapy. She have not showed further seizure attack without any medication of antiepileptic drug.

Fig. 2.

Electropherogram of our case showing the mutated allele, compared with the results of whole-exome sequencing. This mutation (Thr585Met) affects an amino acid residue.

Neurologic prognosis is associated with the number of seizure attacks [4]. Studies have reported that approximately 40% complications persist after the administration of steroid treatment in the initial stage of diagnosis. Moreover, recent studies have reported that prognosis is associated with the timing of diagnosis and treatment administration and the involvement of the brain stem [5].

In conclusion, patient with symptoms such as fever, seizure, and rapid consciousness loss after a viral infection and showing the clinical signs of typical ANE on brain MRI should receive early steroid treatment and should be examined for the presence of RANBP2 mutations.