hsv encephalitis or brain tumor (glioma)

[Terri627]

My 43 year old brother has been in the hospital for a week. A month ago, I brought him into the ER with some concerning symptoms. He started experiencing auras. Taste, smell, light headed, confusion, incoherent, feeling displaced (or like he was not quite "there"). He was sent home after a ct scan that the doctors said was normal. They diagnosed him with anxiety. I argued with one of the doctors because I know my brother, and what he was exhibiting was absolutely not anxiety. Fast forward to this past Tuesday. We went in for an MRI and EEG. As soon as the EEG was over, many doctors (including neurologists) came into the room to talk to him. On the MRI, they had found a lesion. Come to find out 2 days later that the ct scan did show something, but whatever it is has grown since then.

He was transferred from one hospital to another that is better equipped for neurosurgery. After repeated attempts at a lumbar puncture, they took him today for an x-ray guided lp. This time it worked. They showed us the tubes of csf, which was as clear as water. My brother is hoping that this is hsv encephalitis, but has not done any research online, so he doesn't realize how bad that can be.

Question 1: During the brief stay last month, the doctor put him on acyclovir i.v. for approx 12 hours. If only for that short a time, is it possible that it could have an effect on hsv encephalitis?

Question 2: Would the csf appear clear if a virus is present?

Question 3: How long will we have to wait for the test results to confirm or rule out hsv encephalitis?

Question 4: If this is a low grade glioma, would it have grown significantly in a month? Or,

Question 5: Is it more likely a high grade glioma that will require radiation and chemo?

Okay, I think that's about it. Please, somebody help. Because he doesn't have insurance, my brother is in a county facility, and we feel like we are waiting too long. I know county hospitals are overwhelmed, so I don't blame
them, but I/we need answers!

[Terri627]

I've decided to update, even though I haven't had any direct responses.

Turns out my brother has a tumor in his left temporal lobe. The doctors believe
it is a low grade, so at this point they are treating only the seizures. Unfortunately,
the seizures are still occurring while on medication. He had a spectroscopy on
Tuesday, and we are waiting for results to find out if the tumor is benign or malignant.
It is too deep for the neurosurgeons to feel comfortable about biopsy, so we are limited to scans.

[Terri627]

Any ideas?

[Terri627]

bump