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We present a 19-year-old woman with severe encephalitis and raised intracranial pressure requiring decompressive craniectomy. Her clinical features were consistent with encephalitis in the context of acute primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (infectious mononucleosis). Serology, bone marrow aspirate and PCR of blood and cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the diagnosis. She was treated with corticosteroids and aciclovir. She was critically unwell for 3 weeks, requiring artificial ventilation but eventually made a good recovery. EBV encephalitis is uncommon, making the diagnosis and decisions about clinical management challenging.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/practneurol-2012-000234

Type

Journal article

Journal

Pract Neurol

Publication Date

08/2012

Volume

12

Pages

234 - 237

Keywords

Acyclovir, Adrenal Cortex Hormones, Antiviral Agents, Decompressive Craniectomy, Disease Management, Encephalitis, Viral, Epstein-Barr Virus Infections, Female, Humans, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult