| leukoencephalitis, acute haemorrhagic | A rare, fatal postinfection or allergic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system having a fulminating course and occurring mainly in young adults. It is characterised by destruction of white matter to the point of liquefaction; widespread necrosis of blood vessel walls leading to the formation of multiple small haemorrhages in the involved areas and the exudation of fibrin into the surrounding tissue; and cellular infiltration of the necrotic areas. (12 Dec 1998) |
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