Herpes Simplex Type 1 Encephalitis Restricted to the Brainstem in a Pediatric Patient

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a potentially fatal infection of central nervous system that typically involves frontal and temporal lobes. Occasionally, it presents an extratemporal involvement and in rarer cases, it is limited to the brainstem. We describe a case of an adolescent who presented with...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Juliana Harumi Arita, Jaime Lin, Mirella Maccarini Peruchi, Marcelo Masruha Rodrigues, Luiz Celso Pereira Vilanova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/606584
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Summary:Herpes simplex encephalitis is a potentially fatal infection of central nervous system that typically involves frontal and temporal lobes. Occasionally, it presents an extratemporal involvement and in rarer cases, it is limited to the brainstem. We describe a case of an adolescent who presented with fever, sore throat, and vertigo. Clinical picture evolved to lethargy, tetraparesis, consciousness impairment, and respiratory failure. MRI showed lesions restricted to the brainstem. PCR of CSF was positive for herpes simplex type 1.
ISSN:1687-9627
1687-9635