Computerized tomography in infantile encephalitis.

Although computerized tomographic (CT) findings are well recognized in numerous neurologic diseases of children, CT scan abnormalities of encephalitis have only been associated with herpes simplex infection. We describe two infants, one with coxsackievirus B2 meningoencephalitis and one with clinical encephalitis, whose CT scans were similarly abnormal during the acute phase of their illness. In both infants, recovery of both neurologic and developmental deficits was accompanied by resolution of the abnormalities of the initial CT scan. Speculation is offered as to the role of the CT scan in the assistance of the physician who must evaluate both the diagnosis and prognosis of infants who have a clinical picture of encephalitis.