Intérêt de l'électro-encéphalograpmme précoce dans les encéphalites nécrosantes de l'enfant

Summary A study of the E.E.G. abnormalities observed in 15 children with herpes encephalitis demonstrated typical periodic complexes in 12 of the recordings, which is in conformity with the data in the published literature concerning findings in adults. Early E.E.G. recordings are the only means of obtaining a diagnosis rapidly, as the clinical picture is not specific and may be misleading and the virological test results are positive only at a late stage. These findings are compared to those obtained in 13 cases of acute non-herpetic encephalitis, which showed periodic abnormalities. The main problem which arises from the periodic changes seen during non-herpetic encephalitis is that of deciding whether early specific antiviral therapy should be instituted, as this appears to be effective against herpes simplex but not against other viruses where it is not indicated.