Viral encephalitis: prognostic features

Evidence-based neurology checklist on viral encephalitis: prognostic features: Poor prognostic features Older age Reduced consciousness or coma at treatment onset Restricted diffusion on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Delay in commencing Acyclovir Not using corticosteroids…

Poor prognostic features

  • Older age
  • Reduced consciousness or coma at treatment onset 
  • Restricted diffusion on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Delay in commencing Acyclovir
  • Not using corticosteroids
  • Thrombocytopaenia
  • Cerebral oedema

Features with no prognostic implications

References

  1. Kamei S, Sekizawa T, Shiota H, et al. Evaluation of combination therapy using aciclovir and corticosteroid in adult patients with herpes simplex virus encephalitis. JNNP 2005; 76:1544-1549.
  2. Singh TD, Fugate JE, Hocker S, Wijdicks EF, Aksamit AJ Jr, Rabinstein AA. Predictors of outcome in HSV encephalitis. J Neurol 2016; 263:277-289. 
  3. Thakur KT, Motta M, Asemota AO, et al. Predictors of outcome in acute encephalitis. Neurology 2013; 81:793–800. 

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