Skip to main content
Log in

MRI of herpes simplex encephalitis

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
  • Published:
Neuroradiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in eight patients with herpes simplex meningoencephalitis were reviewed: 14 examinations were analysed. The most striking finding was high signal intensity in the temporal lobe(s) with the typical configuration known from CT. Meningeal enhancement after Gd-DTPA administration was clearly seen in four patients. Haemorrhagic changes are much better seen on MRI than on CT. When adequate motion control can be achieved, MRI becomes the examination of choice in the diagnosis and follow-up of herpes simplex encephalitis. Localized1H MR spectroscopy also proved promising in the study of neuronal loss.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Davis JM, Davis HR, Kleinman GM, Krichner HS, Taveras JM (1978) Computed tomography of herpes simplex encephalitis, with clinicopathological correlation. Radiology 129: 409–417

    Google Scholar 

  2. Enzmann DR, Ranson B, Norman D, Talberth E (1978) Computed tomography of herpes simplex encephalitis. Radiology 129: 419–425

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lester JW, Warter MP, Reynolds TL (1988) Herpes encephalitis, MR monitoring of respons to acyclovir therapy. J Comput Assist Tomogr 12: 941–943

    Google Scholar 

  4. Glathe S von, Heindel W, Steinbrich W (1989) Die Bedeutung der Kernspintomographie in der Diagnostik zerebraler Infektionen. Fortschr Röntgenstr 151: 342–347

    Google Scholar 

  5. Schroth G, Gawehn J, Thron A, Vollbracht A, Voight K (1987) Early diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis by MRI. Neurology 37: 179–183

    Google Scholar 

  6. Davidson HD, Steiner RE (1985) MRI in infections of the cerebral nervous system. AJNR 6: 499–504

    Google Scholar 

  7. Valk J, van der Knaap MS (1989) Magnetic resonance of myelin, myelination and myelin disorders. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York pp 244–253

    Google Scholar 

  8. Zimmerman RA, Bilaniuk LT, Sze G (1988) Intracranial infection. In: Brant-Zawadski M, Norman D (eds) Magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system. Raven Press, New York, pp 235–259

    Google Scholar 

  9. Enzmann D, Chang Y, Augustyn G (1990) MR findings in neonatal herpes simplex encephalitis type II. J Comput Assist Tomogr 14: 453–457

    Google Scholar 

  10. Menon DK, Sargentoni J, Peden CJ, Bell JD, Cox IJ, Couts GA, Baudouin C, Newman CGH (1990) Proton MR spectroscopy in herpes simplex encephalitis: assessment of neuronal loss. J Comput Assist Tomogr 14: 449–452

    Google Scholar 

  11. Van Rijen PC, Luyten PR, den Hollander JA, Tulleken CAF (1989) Prolonged elevation of cerebral lactate detected with1H NMR spectroscopy in patients with cerebral ischemia. Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bruhn H, Frahm J, Gyngell ML, Merboldt KD, Hänicke W, Sauter R (1989) Cerebral metabolism in men after acute stroke: new observations using localized proton NMR spectroscopy. Magn Res Med 9: 126–131

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Demaerel, P., Wilms, G., Robberecht, W. et al. MRI of herpes simplex encephalitis. Neuroradiology 34, 490–493 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00598957

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00598957

Key words

Navigation