Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Parasitic infections of the central nervous system (CNS) constitute a wide range of diseases, some quite prevalent across the world, some exceedingly rare. Causative parasites can be divided into two groups: unicellular protozoa and multicellular helminthic worms. This includes diseases such as neurotoxoplasmosis and neurocysticercosis, which represent a major cause of pathology among certain populations, and some more uncommon diseases, as primary amebic meningoencephalitis and neuroschistosomiasis. In this review, we focus on imaging manifestation and some helpful clinical and epidemiologic features of such conditions, providing radiologists with helpful information to identify and correctly diagnose the most common of those pathologies.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2023
ReviewImaging of Uncommon Bacterial, Rickettsia, Spirochete, and Fungal Infections.
This article reviews uncommon bacterial (brucellosis, actinomycosis, neuromelioidosis, nocardiosis, whipple disease, and listeriosis), Rickettsia, spirochete (neurosyphilis and Lyme disease), and fungal (mucormycosis, aspergillosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and Cladophialophora bantiana) diseases affecting central nervous system (CNS), focusing primarily on their cranial manifestations. These infections often show a variety of neuroimaging features that may be similar or differ from typical pyogenic bacterial meningitis and abscess. Familiarity with these patterns is essential for timely recognition and initiation of appropriate management. Neuroimaging is also useful for identifying complications of CNS infections and follow-up evaluation after initiation of treatment.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2023
ReviewNeuroimaging Patterns of Intracranial Infections: Meningitis, Cerebritis, and Their Complications.
Neuroimaging provides rapid, noninvasive visualization of central nervous system infections for optimal diagnosis and management. Generalizable and characteristic imaging patterns help radiologists distinguish different types of intracranial infections including meningitis and cerebritis from a variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and/or parasitic causes. ⋯ We discuss various imaging modalities and recent diagnostic advances such as deep learning through a survey of intracranial pathogens and their radiographic findings. Moreover, we explore critical complications and differential diagnoses of intracranial infections.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2023
ReviewCoronavirus Disease: Subacute to Chronic Neuroimaging Findings.
Several neurologic disorders are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this article, clinical syndromes typically occurring in the subacute to chronic phase of illness and their neuroimaging findings are described with discussion of their COVID-19 specific features and prognosis. Proposed pathogenic mechanisms of these neuroimaging findings and challenges in determining etiology are reviewed.
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MR imaging is essential in diagnosing viral encephalitis. Clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and pathogen confirmation by polymerase chain reaction can be supported by assessing imaging features. ⋯ In this article, we have reviewed representative viral encephalitis and its MR imaging patterns. In addition, we also presented acute viral encephalitis without typical MR imaging patterns, such as dengue and varicella-zoster virus encephalitis.