Decompressive craniectomy as salvage treatment in herpes simplex encephalitis: Two case reports.

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a rare disease with significant morbidity and mortality, although targeted therapy is widely available. This report presents two cases of herpes simplex encephalitis in previously healthy, young adults treated with acyclovir, who developed severe brain edema. Decompressive craniectomy prevented imminent brain herniation and a fatal outcome in both of these patients.