1. Look at the Recent Medical History
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a condition that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and the brain. Specifically, this neurological ailment causes damage to the myelin surrounding the brain's nerves. Both adults and children can get ADEM, however, the disease is more common in children under the age of ten. A case of ADEM can occur due to several reasons, so it is important for a patient with a suspected case of ADEM to go over their recent medical history with their doctor. Both bacterial and viral illnesses, such as chicken pox, measles and rubella, can cause a case of ADEM. It is important for the doctor to know if the patient recently had a bacterial or viral illness. In addition, cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis can occur after a vaccination, so the vaccination history can aid in diagnosis of this condition. In most patients, symptoms of ADEM appear within three weeks of the causative event.
2. Know the Symptoms of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
The symptoms of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis often come on suddenly, and the doctor will use the present symptoms to help him diagnose this disease. Some common symptoms of ADEM include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and difficulty walking. Some cases of ADEM can also cause vision problems, seizures, paralysis, coma or death. Most people with ADEM will have symptoms of the disease for several weeks. Note, however, that the symptoms of ADEM resemble symptoms of both multiple sclerosis and encephalitis. Patients with multiple sclerosis typically don't have a fever, and fever is common in those with ADEM.
3. Look for Brain Damage Using MRI
To help make the diagnosis of ADEM, doctors will often use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at the brain itself. The brain of a patient with ADEM will show inflammation in, and damage to, the brain's white matter. People with ADEM will have new brain lesions or damage, as opposed to older lesions and damage in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis. A doctor may even see signs of brain hemorrhage (bleeding) associated with the brain lesions in a patient with ADEM.
4. Look at the Cerebrospinal Fluid
Another aspect of the diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis includes an examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A doctor will obtain a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spine via a lumbar puncture or a spinal tap. A laboratory can then examine the CSF to determine the amounts of protein and white blood cells present. Patients with ADEM will have elevated levels of both protein and white blood cells present in their cerebrospinal fluid. In conjunction with other the other diagnostic measures described, this can help confirm the diagnosis of ADEM.
