Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Re-evaluating the diagnostic methods in herpes simplex encephalitis.

Amer Al-Shekhlee1, Naira Kocharian, Jose J Suarez

  • 1The Neurological Institute, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44145, USA. amer.alshekhlee@uhhs.com

Herpes : the Journal of the IHMF
|May 31, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

An unusual case of finger buzzing and dysarthria.

Muscle & nerve·2010
Same author

The electromyographic features of acute rhabdomyolysis.

Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease·2008
Same author

A case of multiple meningioma and myotonic dystrophy.

Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease·2008
Same author

Subtle needle electromyography changes may be seen in patients with inflammatory myositis also.

Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease·2008
Same author

Yield of the sural/radial ratio versus the medial plantar nerve in sensory neuropathies with a normal sural response.

Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society·2008
Same author

Sensory sparing patterns and the sensory ratio in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Muscle & nerve·2006
Same journal

Summary of the 6th International Conference on HHV-6 and -7.

Herpes : the journal of the IHMF·2009
Same journal

Case report and literature review: HHV-6-associated meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent adult.

Herpes : the journal of the IHMF·2009
Same journal

Importance of chromosomally integrated HHV-6A and -6B in the diagnosis of active HHV-6 infection.

Herpes : the journal of the IHMF·2009
Same journal

The importance of cytomegalovirus-specific antibodies for the prevention of fetal cytomegalovirus infection or disease.

Herpes : the journal of the IHMF·2009
Same journal

Provocation and progress.

Herpes : the journal of the IHMF·2009
Same journal

Treatment for Epstein-Barr virus-associated PTLD.

Herpes : the journal of the IHMF·2009
See all related articles

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a valuable tool for diagnosing herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) within 48 hours of symptom onset. Early EEG findings, like focal slowing, are highly indicative of HSE, especially when confirmed by PCR.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a severe neurological condition requiring prompt diagnosis.
  • Electroencephalography (EEG) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are key diagnostic methods for HSE.
  • The diagnostic utility of early neuroimaging and EEG in suspected HSE needs further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EEG and cranial imaging in the early stages of suspected HSE.
  • To compare EEG and imaging findings in patients with confirmed HSE (PCR-positive) versus those without (PCR-negative).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patients with suspected HSE.
  • Comparison of EEG and cranial imaging (CT, MRI) findings within 24-48 hours of symptom onset.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Correlation of findings with herpes simplex virus PCR results from cerebrospinal fluid.

    • Main Results:

    • EEG showed periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges or focal temporal slowing in 90% of PCR-positive HSE cases within 48 hours.
    • EEG sensitivity decreased significantly after 48 hours.
    • MRI was consistent with HSE in 86% of PCR-positive cases, particularly when imaging was performed after 48 hours; CT scans were not suggestive of HSE.

    Conclusions:

    • Early EEG (within 48 hours) is a sensitive diagnostic tool for herpes simplex encephalitis.
    • MRI is also valuable for diagnosing HSE, especially when performed later in the disease course.
    • Combining early EEG with later MRI can improve the diagnostic yield for HSE.