ABSTRACT

We present a patient who was diagnosed as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) following a cataract surgery under general anesthesia and we discuss the possible physiopathological mechanisms in this disease.

An 11 years old boy presenting with right traumatic cataract and underwent an uncomplicated cataract surgery under general anesthesia. Ten days following the surgery, the patient developed dysartria, cerebellar dysfunction and mental deterioration. The patient was diagnosed as SSPE with the clinical and laboratory findings, and treatment was started.

Considering the pathophysiology of SSPE and effect of general anesthesia on the immune system, we think either a latent SSPE infection was activated or subclinically present infection started a rapid progression following an operation under general anesthesia. Nevertheless particularly in patients with suspicious vaccination and previous measles infection, it may not be possible to enlighten the actual pathophysiology.

Keywords: General anesthesia, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, immune system