[Klüver-Bucy syndrome in herpetic meningoencephalitis].
BACKGROUND
Klüver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) is an infrequent condition that includes, in its complete form, often massive amnesia, psychic blindness (so-called visual agnosia), oral tendencies, hypermetamorphosis, changes in emotional behavior and increased sexual activity. Anatomic lesions in KBS involve the temporal lobe cortex bilaterally, and the amygdala as well as temporal white matter.


METHODS
A 17-year-old patient treated for herpetic meningoencephalitis developed neuropsychological signs leading to the diagnosis of Klüver-Bucy syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
KBS can occur in various clinical conditions but herpetic encephalitis is the most frequent cause. KBS may be transient or partially regressive, but severe amnesia that may progress to Korsakoff syndrome is often persistent after herpetic encephalitis. Neuroleptics or carbamazepine can be used for symptomatic treatment.
Service de Médecine interne V, Hôpital Louis Mourier, 178, rue des Renouillers, F 92700 Colombes.
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Bonno
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Raschilas
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Mari
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Pigne
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Pouchot
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De Broucker
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Vinceneux
D000293:Adolescent; D020804:Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D020232:Kluver-Bucy Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male