title: Disseminated multifocal herpes zoster leukoencephalitis and subcortical hemorrhage in an immunosuppressed child.
abstract: We describe a rare case of multifocal varicella-zoster leukoencephalitis in an immunosuppressed adolescent boy who developed a herpetiform rash on his groin and subsequently presented with a subacute encephalopathy, aphasia, and hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain revealed multifocal bi-hemispheric target-like lesions predominantly in the white matter. A magnetic resonance imaging scan 2 weeks later showed a subcortical hemorrhage in the left insular region. He received long-term high-dose intravenous acyclovir and had significant improvement in his neurologic status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Herrold
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography