Herpes Simplex Encephalitis Showing Prominent Spatial Disorientation
with Visual Hallucination

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 30(2); 2012 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2012;30(2): 120-124.

환시와 심한 공간지남력 저하가 두드러진 단순헤르페스뇌염

김혜숙, 김해종 강지윤 김은주 박경원

동아대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실, 부산대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실 a

Herpes Simplex Encephalitis Showing Prominent Spatial Disorientation with Visual Hallucination

Hye Suk Kim

Department of Neurology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea Department of Neurology a , Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea

Abstract

A 58-year-old woman was admitted to hospital due to memory impairment and visuospatial dysfunction. Brain MRI revealed high signal lesions on both the temporal and inferior frontal lobes. She was diagnosed as having herpes simplex encephalitis based on her clinical and laboratory findings. Twelve months later she still presented with spatial disorientation, although her amnesia was improved. Neuropsychological testing revealed multiple cognitive impairments, and especially visuospatial dysfunction. This patient represents a case of herpes simplex encephalitis associated with spatial disorientation even when the amnesia had disappeared. Key Words: Herpes simplex encephalitis, Spatial disorientation, Visual hallucination