Intracranial hemorrhage in herpes simplex encephalitis: an unusual presentation

Pediatr Neurol. 2002 Sep;27(3):221-3. doi: 10.1016/s0887-8994(02)00428-9.

Abstract

We describe a 14-month-old patient with atypical presentation of herpes simplex encephalitis. She initially presented with fever, lethargy, seizures, and large hemorrhages in the right parietal lobe, and clinical findings suggestive of a hypercoagulable state. The etiology of coagulation abnormality was not identified, although it was suggested as a possible causative factor in severe bleeding along with acute neuronal lysis as a result of infection. Although large intracerebral hemorrhages are occasionally described with systemic herpes infection, this presentation is unusual beyond the infant period.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Adolescent
  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / diagnosis*
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / diagnosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurologic Examination / drug effects
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pregnancy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Acyclovir