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Transient asymptomatic white matter lesions following Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis

Yoon Young Jang1, Kye Hyang Lee

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

Korean Journal of Pediatrics
|January 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis can cause temporary white matter lesions in children. These lesions, observed via MRI, resolved completely within a year without neurological issues.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus.
  • EBV encephalitis is a rare but serious complication of EBV infection.
  • White matter abnormalities are not typically associated with the chronic phase of EBV encephalitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a unique case of EBV encephalitis with transient white matter lesions.
  • To document the natural history and resolution of these lesions using serial MRI.
  • To highlight the asymptomatic and self-limited nature of these findings.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 2-year-old boy diagnosed with EBV encephalitis.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) EBV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serological tests.
  • Serial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including basal ganglia, thalami, and white matter.
  • Clinical follow-up for neurological deficits.

Main Results:

  • Initial MRI showed high signal intensities in basal ganglia and thalami.
  • CSF PCR confirmed EBV infection.
  • Follow-up MRI at 5 weeks revealed extensive periventricular white matter lesions.
  • One-year follow-up MRI demonstrated complete resolution of white matter lesions.
  • The patient remained asymptomatic with no neurological deficits.

Conclusions:

  • EBV encephalitis can be associated with asymptomatic, self-limited white matter lesions.
  • Serial MRI is valuable for monitoring disease progression and resolution.
  • These transient white matter changes appear to have no long-term sequelae.
Keywords:
EncephalitisEpstein-Barr virusMagnetic resonance imagingWhite matter

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