PHYSICIAN'S CORNER
Infection and Inflammation in the Brain
Return to the Physician's Corner - MRI with contrast is useful in showing infections in the parenchyma, subarachnoid, subdural and epidural spaces of the brain.
- Parenchymal infections may spread directly (along cranial nerves or from sinusitis or osteomyelitis), hematogenously or secondary to prior trauma or surgery.
- MRI with contrast is useful in the evaluation of infections in AIDS to show the toxoplasmosis, HIV encephalitis, CMV ependymitis, and PML.
- MRI can demonstrate the sequelae of infection including encephalomelacia, hydrocephalus, vasculitis, infarction and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
- MRI of the brain is first choice to rule out Intra-cranial infection like herpes, CMV, and toxoplasmosis.
- Meningitis is also better evaluated with MRI, as almost all the potential complications can be picked up by MRI.
- In all these conditions MRI examination should be done with and without contrast.