Viral encephalitis other diagnostic studies

Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]

Overview

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes.

Electroencephalograph

In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes called paroxysmal lateral epileptiform discharges. These waves are present even before changes can be picked by Ct scan or MRI and are positive in majority of cases. However, these are not diagnostic of encephalitis