Viral encephalitis MRI

Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]

Overview

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic or protozoal infestations, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems.

MRI

Advantages over CT scan

• Magnetic resonance imaging offers better resolution compared to CT scan (higher sensitivity)
• It can pick lesions earlier than CT scan
• It can be used in cases where use of contrast is contraindicated.
• It presents as areas of increased T2 signal intensity in different lobes of brain (temporal, frontal).