title: Herpes simplex encephalitis after craniopharyngioma surgery.
abstract: A 13-year-old girl exhibited rapid deterioration in mental status 15 days after surgery for craniopharyngioma. Serial CT scanning detected progression of a low-density lesion on the left frontotemporal lobe. The serum level of C-reactive protein was elevated and polymerase chain reaction identified herpes simplex virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid. Antiviral therapy with high-dose acyclovir (10 mg/kg 3 times daily) was begun. She recovered and could speak short sentences, but dysphasia and right hemiparesis remained. Early diagnosis and active treatment of herpes simplex encephalitis is essential for improving prognosis and saving lives.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Byung-Kyu
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Eui Chong
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyu-Chang
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Seung-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000601:surgery*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents