Craniectomy in herpetic encephalitis.

The morbidity and mortality of herpes simplex encephalitis have decreased since the 1980s with the use of antivirals, but have remained stable in the last couple of years. One cause of morbidity is the development of focal hemorrhagic necrosis and edema in the temporal lobe, giving rise to space-occupying lesions, with a subsequent elevation of intracranial pressure. In some cases, the necrosis and edema can be refractory to medical treatment, with fatal outcome.