title: Herpes simplex encephalitis with occipital localization in an infant: a different route of entry in the brain system?
abstract: Herpes simplex encephalitis classically involves the periventricular white matter in infants and the mesial temporal lobes, inferior frontal lobes, and insula in older children and adults. However, the increasing use of polymerase chain reaction to detect viral DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid has allowed the expansion of the spectrum of radiologic findings possibly associated with herpes simplex encephalitis. This study presents a rare case of a previously healthy infant with herpes simplex encephalitis with occipital involvement and permanent visual impairment. Possible pathogenic mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences for Woman and Child's Health, University of Florence, Anna Meyer, Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiappini
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fonda
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Martino
mesh_terms: D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids