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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1999 Aug;67(2):239–242. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.67.2.239

Herpes simplex encephalitis after brain surgery: case report and review of the literature

A Spuler 1, H Blaszyk 1, J Parisi 1, D Davis 1
PMCID: PMC1736493  PMID: 10407001

Abstract

Intracranial infection after neurosurgical intervention most often is caused by bacteria. A rare case of fatal herpes simplex encephalitis after removal of a meningioma is described and similar cases reported in the literature are reviewed. Recent diagnostic tools, including detection of herpes viral DNA sequences by polymerase chain reaction, complement clinical suspicion and facilitate mandatory early diagnosis, because herpes encephalitis, without rapid initiation of treatment, may lead to severe disability or death.



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