Unilateral cerebral cortical encephalitis (CCE) with positive anti-MOG antibodies: A case report

RATIONALE: Nowadays, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is regarded as an independent inflammatory demyelinating disease. Here, we report a rare case of unilateral cerebral cortical encephalitis (CCE) with positive anti-MOG antibodies. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 19-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital owing to acute onset fever and headache. Four days later, she experienced a focal seizure that progressed to generalized tonic-clonic seizures. DIAGNOSIS: Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated cortical lesions in the left cerebral hemisphere on T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging. The patient was positive for anti-MOG antibodies in serum and diagnosed with anti-MOG antibody-associated unilateral CCE. INTERVENTIONS: She was administrated with intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral corticosteroids. OUTCOMES: On day 14 after admission, a repeat MRI revealed partial resolution of the initial abnormalities. The patient received a quick recovery without residual symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral CCE with positive anti-MOG antibodies has emerged as a special clinical phenotype of MOGAD. It should be emphasized that the characteristic neuroradiological features of CCE would be an important clue to the correct diagnosis of MOGAD.