Teen Misdiagnosed with Stroke at Multiple Hospitals Diagnosed with Rare Brain Disorder

Mumbai: A 17-year-old boy showing sudden stroke-like symptoms was ultimately diagnosed with a rare autoimmune brain disorder at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, after being initially suspected of having a stroke. Timely intervention and detailed clinical assessment by Dr. Sheetal Goyal, Consultant Neurologist, led to the correct diagnosis and treatment, resulting in a full recovery.

The boy had visited several hospitals before arriving at the emergency department at Wockhardt. He had developed sudden right-sided weakness and was unable to speak signs typically associated with a stroke. Soon after admission, he also suffered a focal seizure on the right side, prompting immediate medical care.

Dr. Goyal stabilized the patient using antiepileptic medication and ordered an urgent MRI of the brain. The scan revealed focal encephalitis in the left frontoparietal region, indicating localized inflammation. However, the patient had no fever, and a lumbar puncture showed normal results, making the diagnosis unclear.

Despite these findings, Dr. Goyal considered other possible causes, including autoimmune conditions. She ordered a Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) antibody test, which is rarely used but relevant in certain neurological cases.

The test returned strongly positive for anti-MOG antibodies, confirming a diagnosis of anti-MOG autoimmune encephalitis, a rare inflammatory disorder of the brain, especially in young individuals.

Following diagnosis, the patient was started on intravenous steroids and immunomodulatory therapy. Within 48 hours, his strength and speech returned to normal. He was discharged after five days with no neurological deficits and continues to remain symptom-free during follow-up visits.

“This case reminds us that not all that looks like a stroke is one,” said Dr. Sheetal Goyal, Consultant Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central. “Timely investigation and a high index of suspicion can change the course of a young life. Rare diseases need not lead to tragic outcomes if diagnosed early.”