BACKGROUND: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a fatal encephalitis 
manifesting a number of years after a primary measles infection. This disease 
has become very rare since the introduction of immunisation against measles in 
1976.
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 17-year-old boy presented with progressive cognitive 
disturbances and extrapyramidal symptoms that had developed over a few weeks. He 
had not been immunised because of his parents' religious beliefs, and had 
contracted measles at 4 years of age. An EEG was performed on the basis of 
clinical suspicion of SSPE, and showed the SSPE-specific, characteristic pattern 
of periodic complexes as described by Radermecker. The diagnosis of SSPE was 
confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid examination. Our patient died 4 months after 
initial diagnosis.
CONCLUSION: SSPE is still occurring in the Netherlands. The absence of effective 
treatment underlines the importance of prevention by means of immunization 
against measles.