title: Brain imaging in AIDS.
abstract: Although central nervous system (CNS) involvement is common in the population with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the presenting neurologic signs and symptoms are often vague and nonfocal. This represents a significant diagnostic challenge for the primary care physician. Cross-sectional imaging now plays an important role in the diagnosis of pathologic processes involving the brain in HIV-infected patients. Involvement of the brain with atypical viruses, parasites, fungi, and neoplasms is more prevalent in AIDS patients. On identification of a brain lesion, it is the role of the imager to characterize it in an attempt to provide a limited differential diagnosis. We review the imaging findings of the pathogens that most commonly affect the brain in AIDS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Laine
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed