A Case of Brainstem Encephalitis

We experienced a case of brainstem encephalitis that is possibly caused by herpes simplex virus infection in a 3 year-old girl. The diagnosis was made by clinical symptoms, neurologic exam, serologic test, brain CT, brain MRI and brainstem biopsy. Herpes simplex virus specific antibody was detected from cerebrospinal fluid and the titer was 11.78 by enzyme immunoassay. Stereotaxic brainstem biopsy was done for differenciate from brainstem glioma at 24th hospital day. Patient was treated with acyclovir and improved in association with neurologic sequallae at 3 months later. Brief review of literatures was made.