Managing encephalitis on the intensive care unit

Abstract

Acute encephalitis although a rare syndrome in absolute numbers is a common differential diagnosis for unexplained encephalopathy in patients presenting to both neurological and general intensive care units. This talk will review management of the critically ill patient with suspected encephalitis. The broad differential diagnosis will be considered and diagnostic approaches to seek both infectious and immune-mediated causes for encephalitis discussed. The importance of antibody-mediated forms of encephalitis and differences in aetiologies of infectious encephalitis relating to geography will be emphasised. Both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory treatments for encephalitis will be reviewed. The importance of control of seizures and management of intracranial pressure will be outlined. The audience will be directed to guidelines from specialist societies for reference.