Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA | Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA | Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Senthilkumar Sankararaman, Clinical
Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA. Tel.: +1 318 572 4185; Fax: +1 318
675 6059; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 frequently causes fulminant
encephalitis and it is the most common etiological agent for sporadic
encephalitis in the developed world. We report a case of HSV encephalitis in a
7-month-old infant with bilateral thalamic involvement. Thalamic involvement
has been reported in HSV encephalitis, more commonly in infants and young
children compared to adults. But the implications of thalamic involvement in
HSV encephalitis are not clearly known. Using Medline, we reviewed all the
published pediatric cases of HSV encephalitis with thalamic involvement.
Twenty-nine cases met our inclusion criteria. Out of 30 patients (including our
patient), 14 patients had bilateral thalamic involvement and 16 had lesion on
one side. Ten patients had at least one relapse. Six of them developed movement
disorder. One patient died, two had complete recovery of the symptoms but
majority of the patients developed neurological sequelae.
