Computed tomography (CT) in children with herpes simplex encephalitis

• Published in: Pediatric radiology Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 9 - 12
• Main Authors: TACCONE, A, GAMBARO, G, GHIORZI, M, FERREA, G, GIANBARTOLOMEI, G, ROLANDO, S, FONDELLI, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-11-1988
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Encephalitis - diagnostic imaging; Female; Herpes Simplex - diagnostic imaging; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infant; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the nervous system; Human; Infection; Encephalitis; Nervous system diseases; Radiodiagnosis; Viral disease; Herpes; Infant; Computerized axial tomography
• ISSN: 0301-0449; 1432-1998
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02388400

Computed Tomography (CT) scans were obtained from nine infants with herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSE). The early CT findings were generalized or localized edematous change and a mass effect was also seen in two cases. In the follow-up study two patients showed bilateral gyriform calcification, a rare occurrence in association with intracranial infection. The appearance of multicystic encephalomalacia was evident in one patient 3 months after the onset of disease. It is shown that the CT findings of neonates and young children with HSE are different from those of adults.