Dawson disease, also known as Dawson's encephalitis, is a rare syndrome characterized by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The condition leads to a range of symptoms, including weakness, numbness, and difficulties with coordination, speech, and vision. While the term Dawson disease is commonly used to describe this disorder, there are several other synonyms used in medical literature, including disseminated cerebrospinal sclerosis, Schilder's disease, and encephalomyelitis periaxialis diffusa. These terms all refer to the same disorder but reflect different aspects of the condition, such as its spread throughout the brain or the involvement of myelin-producing cells.