Resolution of intracranial calcifications in infants with treated congenital toxoplasmosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the natural history of intracranial calcifications in infants with treated congenital toxoplasmosis.


METHODS
Between January 1982 and March 1994, cranial computed tomography was performed in 56 infants with treated congenital toxoplasmosis when they were newborns and approximately 1 year old. Locations and sizes of intracranial calcifications were noted.


RESULTS
Forty newborns had intracranial calcifications. By 1 year of age, calcifications diminished or resolved in 30 (75%) and remained stable in 10 (25%) of these treated infants. Ten (33%) of the 30 infants whose calcifications diminished versus seven (70%) of the 10 infants with stable calcifications received less intensive antimicrobial treatment than the other treated infants. In contrast, a small number of infants who were untreated or treated 1 month or less had intracranial calcifications that increased or remained stable during their 1st year of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Diminution or resolution of intracranial calcifications was an unexpected and remarkable finding in infants with treated, congenital toxoplasmosis, consonant with their improved neurologic functioning.
Patel
D V
DV
Department of Radiology, Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, IL 60616, USA.
Holfels
E M
EM
Vogel
N P
NP
Boyer
K M
KM
Mets
M B
MB
Swisher
C N
CN
Roizen
N J
NJ
Stein
L K
LK
Stein
M A
MA
Hopkins
J
J
Withers
S E
SE
Mack
D G
DG
Luciano
R A
RA
Meier
P
P
Remington
J S
JS
McLeod
R L
RL
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013411:Sulfadiazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016781:Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014125:Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D013411:Sulfadiazine; D002955:Leucovorin; D011739:Pyrimethamine