Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Marmara University Hospital,
Turkey | Department of Pathology, Marmara University Hospital,
Turkey | Department of Neurosurgery, Marmara University
Hospital, Turkey
Note: [] Corresponding author: Ipek Midi, MD, Marmara University
Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tophanelioglu Cad. Altunizade-Istanbul,
34640, Turkey. Tel.: +902163271010/266; Fax: +902163259777; E-mail:
ipekmidi@yahoo.com
Abstract: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a serious viral infection with
a high rate of mortality. The most commonly seen complications are behavioral
changes, seizures and memory deficits. We report the case of a 37-year-old man
with HSE in the right temporal lobe and a severe midline shift who was treated
with acyclovir. The patient underwent anterior temporal lobe resection.
Although HSE can cause permanent cognitive deficits, in this case, early
surgical intervention minimized any deficit, as determined by detailed
neuropsychological examination. Surgical decompression is indicated as early as
possible in severe cases. This case report emphasizes the effect of surgical
decompression for HSE on cognitive function, which has rarely been mentioned
before.
