Abstracts

Rationale: Encephalitis has many sequels if untreated or even treated in time. Herpes encephalitis by affecting especially the temporal and frontal lobes has deleterious consequences like seizure and neuropsychological effects. The aim of this study is to find out the outcome of patients with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) presented with Status Epilepticus (SE) Methods: In the present study we retrospectively evaluated the neurological outcome of patients with HSE presented with SE. The presenting symptoms and signs, and laboratory investigations including cerebrospinal fluid analysis contrast induced Cranial Magnetic Resonance imaging, and EEG were obtained. Intravenous Acyclovir treatment was given to all patients. SE treated with intravenous diphenylhydantoin (DPH) and phenobarbital. Results: Seven patients (4M, 3F) with a mean age 47.42 ± 15.44 of were included among the patients with SE in HSE. Sharp waves and triphasic waves were the most frequently seen activity in EEG. One out of 5 patients presented with convulsive Status Epilepticus (CSE), other 4 with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). The patient who presented with CSE had a history of multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Another patient was in the postpartum period that was also epileptic. All patients received DPH but in three of the SE were terminated with Phenobarbital. Both neurological and neuropsychological outcome of the patients were fine and they were able to continue their professional and personal life without support. Conclusions: Herpes simplex encephalitis has a higher morbidity including neuropsychological outcome. But patients, who received anticonvulsant treatment in the management of status epilepticus, have better prognosis. If the triphasic waves seen in the course of the HSE will accepted as epileptiform and patients treated with intravenous anticonvulsant drugs, may change the prognosis.