How specific are periodic complexes in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis?
The specificity of localized periodic complexes (PC) in the EEG is discussed by means of a case. This patient presented rapidly evolving focal symptoms of the CNS together with fever. The EEG showed localized PCs and in the CT scan there was a hyperdense lesion in a region corresponding to the EEG finding. Postmortem examination revealed a subcortical bleeding in the temporal region. Possible mechanisms for the origin of these PCs and their diagnostic value are discussed.
D000368:Aged; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology