Herpes simplex encephalitis. Is anticoagulation safe?

Neurologist. 2005 May;11(3):187-9. doi: 10.1097/01.nrl.0000159761.57148.70.

Abstract

Background: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) still carries a high morbidity and mortality.

Review summary: The authors report a 27-year-old patient who presented with an HSE manifested by a high temperature, seizures, and headaches. His hospitalization course was complicated by a pulmonary embolism. After anticoagulation was started, the patient developed a right temporal hematoma at the same region of the abnormal signal on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent a craniotomy and evacuation of the hematoma with an uneventful postoperative outcome.

Conclusion: The safety of anticoagulation in HSE has not been raised in the literature previously, and it needs further study.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Craniotomy
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / complications*
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / pathology
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / chemically induced
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Temporal Lobe
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vena Cava Filters

Substances

  • Anticoagulants