A case of herpes simplex encephalitis revealed by decompressive craniectomy
- 3 October 2007
- journal article
- case report
- Published by Springer Nature in European Journal of Pediatrics
- Vol. 167 (7) , 821-822
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-007-0566-0
Abstract
A 15-year-old girl was referred to our hospital due to fever, headache, and vomiting of 7 days duration and focal motor convulsion at the day of referral. Her clinical signs and cerebral imaging findings were found to be compatible with herpes simplex encephalitis. In spite of prompt acyclovir administration, her consciousness deteriorated gradually. Emergent cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a shift of midline intracranial structures. Decompressive surgery resulted in partial improvement in the shift of midline intracranial structures and potentially saved the patient’s life. This case report stresses the importance of proper management of increased intracranial pressure in patients with herpes simplex encephalitis.Keywords
This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- Herpes simplex virus infections of the central nervous system: encephalitis and meningitis, including Mollaret's.2004
- Herpes simplex encephalitisJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 2002
- Herpes simplex encephalitis: the role of surgical decompressionSurgical Neurology, 2002
- Viral EncephalitisNew England Journal of Medicine, 1990
- Intracranial pressure and outcome in adult encephalitisJournal of Neurosurgery, 1988