Modified Criteria of Dyken et al for the Diagnosis of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

 

Criteria:

(1) progressive subacute mental deterioration with myoclonus and other typical findings

(2) EEG showing periodic stereotypic high voltage discharges

(3) oligoclonal bands in the CSF and/or elevated gammaglobulins in the CSF (>= 20% of total protein)

(4) brain biopsy showing panencephalitis

(5) elevated anti-measles antibodies in the serum (>= 1:256) and/or in the CSF (>=1:4)

 

where:

• These criteria are discussed by Dyken on pages 186-188.

• The classic EEG changes only occur in a subset of patients during Stage II.

• Dyken uses 1:128 for serum and 1:8 for CSF.

 

The diagnosis of SSPE requires the presence of 3 or more of these findings.