AESD due to COVID-19 with shifting seizure focus laterality between early and late seizure, accompanied by characteristic blood flow signal changes on MRI

Background

Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) commonly presents with febrile seizure overlap and clusters of seizures several days later; however, information on the localization of seizure foci is scarce.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 6-year-old child who initially presented with seizures of the right upper and lower extremities as early seizures, but later, the focus of her seizure clusters shifted to the left upper extremity as late seizures. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) findings in the right cerebral hemisphere changed accordingly, but blood flow in the left frontal lobe was consistently enhanced, suggesting the presence of additional pathology.

Conclusion

This case expands our understanding of evolving seizure patterns in AESD and highlights the potential of ASL to elucidate its complex pathophysiology.