Early 99mTc radionuclide imaging was unilaterally positive in the temporal lobe area in all 8 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, suggesting its utility in guiding brain biopsy.
Observational (n=8)
No
Does radionuclide imaging with 99mTc help diagnose herpes simplex encephalitis?
Radionuclide imaging with 99mTc can suggest herpes simplex as the specific etiology in cases of encephalitis and indicate the best site for brain biopsy.
Eight patients with herpes simplex encephalitis among the 10 cases diagnosed at the University of Kansas Medical Center from 1966 to 1976 were studied with 99mTc early in their diagnostic work-up. The images were unilaterally positive in the temporal lobe area in all 8 patients. Radionuclide studies can suggest herpes simplex as the specific etiology in cases of encephalitis and can also indicate the best site for brain biopsy to confirm the diagnosis by fluorescent antibody techniques. Appropriate antiviral therapy should be instituted as soon as possible to alter the course of this destructive form of viral encephalitis.
Karlin et al. (Sun,) conducted a observational in Herpes simplex encephalitis (n=8). 99mTc radionuclide imaging was evaluated on Unilaterally positive images in the temporal lobe area. Early 99mTc radionuclide imaging was unilaterally positive in the temporal lobe area in all 8 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, suggesting its utility in guiding brain biopsy.