Prolonged acyclovir treatment in a child with opercular syndrome related to herpes simplex encephalitis

Abstract

Summary: HSV 1 encephalitis is the most common cause of sporadic and focal viral encephalitis. Opercular syndrome is characterized by swallowing and speech difficulties which are associated with deterioration of voluntary control of face, pharynx, tongue and chewing muscles. It can be developed in patients with Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). Here, a twelve-year-old boy who was diagnosed with HSE and Opercular syndrome, is presented. The patient recovered without sequela as a result of 30 days of intravenous and 10 days of oral acyclovir treatment. It might be important as well, to personalize and elongate the treatment in terms of prognosis. Keywords: Encephalitis, Opercular syndrome, Acyclovir