title: [Generalized brain edema in non-purulent meningoencephalitis. The anti-edema effect of therapy with dexamethasone].
abstract: We report about two female inpatients aged 58 and 24, suffering from non-purulent meningoencephalitis, in the first case caused by varizella-zoster-virus, in the second case probably due to viral infection. Both patients developed a diffuse brain edema associated with a progressive loss of consciousness. The adjunctive treatment with dexamethasone led to rapid improvement of clinical symptoms. Computed tomography revealed a significant reduction of brain edema. These results of these two cases support the efficacy of corticosteroids as adjunctive treatment of diffuse brain edema caused by non-purulent meningoencephalitis. The pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik, mit Poliklinik der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Jan.Sommer@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Heckmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neundörfer
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Erbguth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone