Viral encephalitis other diagnostic studies: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Encephalitis is an [[Acute (medical)|acute]] [[inflammation]] of the [[brain]], commonly caused by a [[virus|viral]] [[infection]]. In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes. | |||
==Other Diagnostic Studies== | ==Other Diagnostic Studies== | ||
===Electroencephalograph=== | ===Electroencephalograph=== | ||
Revision as of 19:45, 4 April 2013
Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]
Overview
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Electroencephalograph
In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes called paroxysmal lateral epileptiform discharges. These waves are present even before changes can be picked by Ct scan or MRI and are positive in majority of cases. However, these are not diagnostic of encephalitis
Brain biopsy
- Highly specific and sensitive.
- Rabies - Negri bodies in hippocampus and cerebellum
- Cowdry type A inclusion with hemorrhagic necrosis in the temporal and frontal areas of brain - Herpes simplex virus.