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Herpes simplex encephalitis after brain surgery: case report and review of the literature
  1. Andreas Spulera,
  2. Hagen Blaszykc,
  3. Joseph E Parisib,c,
  4. Dudley H Davisa
  1. aDepartment of Neurosurgery, bDepartment of Neurology, cDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation,200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, USA
  1. Dr H Blaszyk, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation,200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, USA. Telephone 001 507 284 2511; fax 001 507 284 1599; email blaszyk.hagen{at}mayo.edu

Abstract

Intracranial infection after neurosurgical intervention most often is caused by bacteria. A rare case of fatal herpes simplex encephalitis after removal of a meningioma is described and similar cases reported in the literature are reviewed. Recent diagnostic tools, including detection of herpes viral DNA sequences by polymerase chain reaction, complement clinical suspicion and facilitate mandatory early diagnosis, because herpes encephalitis, without rapid initiation of treatment, may lead to severe disability or death.

  • herpes simplex virus
  • encephalitis
  • brain surgery

https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.67.2.239

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