MR imaging of herpes simplex type 1 encephalitis in infants and young children: a separate pattern of findings

J R Leonard1, C J Moran, D T Cross

  • 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Initial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings for herpes simplex encephalitis in infants and young children differ from other age groups. Recognizing this unique MR pattern aids in timely herpes encephalitis diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Radiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a severe neurological infection.
  • Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is crucial for diagnosing HSE.
  • HSE presentation on MR imaging can vary by age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the initial MR imaging findings of HSE in infants and young children.
  • To differentiate HSE imaging patterns in this specific age group.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of MR imaging studies in infants and young children diagnosed with HSE.
  • Analysis of lesion location, signal intensity, and enhancement patterns.

Main Results:

  • MR imaging findings in infants and young children with HSE show distinct patterns.
  • These patterns differ from those observed in neonates, older children, and adults.

Conclusions:

  • The MR imaging appearance of HSE in infants and young children is unique.
  • Awareness of these specific MR findings, alongside clinical suspicion, improves diagnostic accuracy for HSE.

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...