A case with infantile spasms due to herpes simplex type 1 virus encephalitis
Ohtaki, E.; Yamaguchi, Y.; Shiotsuki, Y.; Katafuchi, Y.; Matsuishi, T.; Matsuura, N.; Yamamoto, M.
No to Hattatsu 19(6): 502-506
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0831 PMID: 3689599 Document Number: 297536
Although viral encephalitis is known as one of the causes of infantile spasms, no cases of infantile spasms due to herpes simplex type 1 virus encephalitis (HSE) has appeared in the literature. A case, a 1-year-4-month-old boy, with infantile spasms due to herpes simplex type 1 virus encephalitis (HSE) was reported. He was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital because of generalized convulsion, fever and disturbance of consciousness. The herpes simplex virus antibody titer was measured both in the acute stage and at eighteen days of illness, and he was finally diagnosed as having HSE. Electroencephalography showed typical periodic sharp waves and CT revealed marked bilateral low density areas in the temporal lobes. Typical streak linear enhancement was seen after the injection of contrast media. In spite of the early administration of acyclovir, he developed severe neurological sequelae including mental retardation, double hemiplegia and epilepsy. Combination therapy with carbamazepine and nitrazepam had been administered, however, the convulsions were not controlled at 1 year and 4 months of age and finally he developed infantile spasms. CT showed diffuse and bilateral brain lesion, cortical and deep central (thalamus and brain stem). A possibility was suggested that infantile spasms might follow HSE in infancy with these cerebral lesion.