Figureâ1.âPathological hallmarks of Rasmussenâs encephalitis.
A)
Overview of frontal neocortex with leptomeninges from a
hemispherectomy for chronic epilepsy. The cortex is shrunken with
widening of the sulci. There is focal spongiosis (light area)
alternating with zones of dense astrocytic gliosis. (BâD) In the
active disease process cortical neurons are surrounded by
aggregates of inflammatory cells (âmicroglial nodulesâ) (B) that
contain mainly cytotoxic Tâcells (C) and activated microglia (D)
(positive labelling is indicated by the brown signal).
Hematoxylinâeosin (AâB), immunocytochemistry for CD8 (C) and
CD68â(D). Original magnifications x40â(A) andâÃâ600â(BâD).
(Courtesy Dr Olaf Ansorge).