title: Mesiotemporal T2-weighted hyperintensity: neurosyphilis mimicking herpes encephalitis.
abstract: Bilateral mesiotemporal hyperintensity on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR images of a patient with a clinical syndrome of encephalitis is considered to be a classic finding for herpes simplex virus infection. We report a case of neurosyphilis with identical MR imaging abnormalities and a similar clinical presentation. Because syphilis is not routinely tested for, awareness of this mimicry of herpes simplex virus encephalitis is important, considering the potential therapeutic implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California Los Angeles, 90095, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bash
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hathout
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*