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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2012; 10(04): 301-308
DOI: 10.3233/JPN-120574
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Thalamic involvement in HSV type 1 encephalitis in children

Senthilkumar Sankararaman
a   Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
,
Sujithra Velayuthan
a   Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
,
Rosario Riel-Romero
b   Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
,
Arun Kalra
b   Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
,
Eduardo Gonzalez-Toledo
c   Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
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Publication History

18 December 2011

30 April 2012

Publication Date:
30 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 frequently causes fulminant encephalitis and it is the most common etiological agent for sporadic encephalitis in the developed world. We report a case of HSV encephalitis in a 7-month-old infant with bilateral thalamic involvement. Thalamic involvement has been reported in HSV encephalitis, more commonly in infants and young children compared to adults. But the implications of thalamic involvement in HSV encephalitis are not clearly known. Using Medline, we reviewed all the published pediatric cases of HSV encephalitis with thalamic involvement. Twenty-nine cases met our inclusion criteria. Out of 30 patients (including our patient), 14 patients had bilateral thalamic involvement and 16 had lesion on one side. Ten patients had at least one relapse. Six of them developed movement disorder. One patient died, two had complete recovery of the symptoms but majority of the patients developed neurological sequelae.

Keywords

HSV encephalitis - infants - thalamus - acyclovir