ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSIS OF HERPES-SIMPLEX ENCEPHALITIS

The reported electroencephalographic (E.E.G.) findings in herpes-simplex encephalitis are reviewed. To these are added six cases showing periodic complexes between the 2nd and 15th day of the illness. It is suggested that serial E.E.G. records which show, against a diffuse slow-wave background, the rapid development of periodic complexes in days 2-15 of the illness followed by disappearance of these complexes without clinical improvement, may be diagnostic of herpes-simplex encephalitis. It is not suggested that any single E.E.G. pattern is indicative of this diagnosis.