Magnetic resonance restricted diffusion resolution correlates with clinical improvement and response to treatment in herpes simplex encephalitis.
BACKGROUND
A 34-year-old man presented with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing dense foci of restricted diffusion in the temporal lobe.


METHODS
With treatment and clinical improvement, follow-up MRI done 8 days later showed complete resolution of the restricted diffusion abnormalities, whereas other MRI sequences suggested interval progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Restricted diffusion abnormalities on MRI in patients with HSE may be more sensitive to and correlate better with disease activity in HSE.
Duckworth
Joshua L
JL
Department of Neurology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA.
Hawley
Jason S
JS
Riedy
Gerard
G
Landau
Mark E
ME
D000328:Adult; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome