Doctors at Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals successfully treated a 53-year-old woman from Chennai who developed the rare and life-threatening condition, Varicella encephalitis, after a recent chickenpox infection.
Critical Condition on Admission
The patient was admitted to Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals, Global Campus, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, at the end of January 2026 after her family noticed sudden confusion and reduced responsiveness. Dr. K. Jered Livingston, Senior Consultant Neurologist, and his team quickly evaluated her and suspected that the chickenpox virus had spread to her central nervous system, causing severe brain inflammation.
Complex Diagnosis and Emergency Treatment
Doctors performed advanced brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, which confirmed Varicella encephalitis with severe brain inflammation and bleeding. Further tests also revealed Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST), a blood clot in a major vein that drains blood from the brain.
As per a press release, doctors warned the family that the condition could rapidly become fatal due to progressive brain injury, worsening bleeding, and dangerous fluid accumulation if left untreated.
The team immediately admitted the patient to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and started antiviral medication along with treatment to reduce brain inflammation. However, her condition worsened over the next few days as bleeding increased and excess cerebrospinal fluid raised pressure inside the brain, causing a further decline in consciousness.
Consequently, the multidisciplinary team performed an emergency External Ventricular Drain (EVD) procedure to relieve pressure by draining the excess fluid. They also administered Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy to control immune-mediated inflammation and Heparin, a short-acting anticoagulant, to treat the blood clot and prevent further neurological damage.
Successful Recovery
Following the emergency intervention, the patient’s condition gradually improved. Doctors successfully weaned her off ventilator support, and she continued to make steady neurological progress. After 40 days of hospitalization, she was discharged in a stable condition.
Expert’s View
“Although chickenpox is generally considered a mild viral illness, it can, in rare cases, lead to severe neurological complications, especially in adults. This was an exceptionally challenging case involving a rare and rapidly progressive neurological complication of chickenpox. Timely diagnosis, continuous clinical reassessment, advanced neuroimaging, and coordinated multidisciplinary care were crucial in identifying and treating these life-threatening complications, ultimately leading to a successful outcome,” said Dr. K. Jered Livingston, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals.