title: Severe acute encephalitis--improved outcome after barbiturate treatment?
abstract: Six cases of severe encephalitis due to measles, varicellae, mononucleosis, influenza, rubella and pertussis were treated with high doses of barbiturates in combination with steroids and artificial hyperventilation. Four of the patients also received antiviral therapy. They all survived without neurological sequelae. The use of barbiturates in high doses may be of importance for an improved outcome in patients with severe encephalitis.
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002644:Chickenpox; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis; D007251:Influenza, Human; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles; D008875:Middle Aged; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014917:Whooping Cough
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D000212:Acyclovir; D010634:Phenobarbital