A Teenager With Acute Anterograde Amnesia

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2020 May;36(5):e295-e297. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001408.

Abstract

Isolated amnesia is an uncommon presenting complaint in the pediatric age group. We report the case of an 18-year-old woman who presented with the acute onset of memory difficulty and an otherwise normal neurologic examination. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated inflammation in the bilateral temporal lobes. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid testing ultimately revealed a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis. Although rare, the acute onset of isolated amnesia deserves a prompt, comprehensive evaluation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amnesia, Anterograde / diagnosis
  • Amnesia, Anterograde / etiology*
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Encephalitis / complications
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Hashimoto Disease / complications
  • Hashimoto Disease / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Receptors, AMPA / immunology*
  • Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, AMPA

Supplementary concepts

  • Hashimoto's encephalitis