Brain MRI findings in influenza A-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy following influenza A is frequently reported from Japan and Taiwan but is very rarely seen in Western countries. We describe a 10-year-old boy with acute necrotizing encephalopathy, who developed symmetrical thalamic and brain stem lesions seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Serological confirmation of influenza A was made 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. The child made a full recovery. This case is interesting because of its rarity in European countries, the striking brain MRI findings and the good neurological outcome.