The importance of brain biopsy in suspected herpes simplex encephalitis.
In a retrospective study of 10 patients who underwent biopsies because of suspected herpes simplex encephalitis, the diagnosis was confirmed in only 3 patients. However, in 4 patients whose clinical presentations were indistinguishable from herpes simplex encephalitis, biopsy revealed other treatable conditions. These findings, together with a review of the recent literature, indicate that brain biopsy is the appropriate way to evaluate such patients.
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged