title: Viral infections and white matter lesions.
abstract: This article discusses imaging findings in virus-related infectious and noninfectious encephalitis/encephalopathy with white matter involvement, as well as the differential diagnosis based on the characteristic distribution. Acute viral encephalitis/encephalopathy is a medical emergency. Prompt introduction of treatment has a significant influence on survival and the extent of permanent brain injury. Differentiation between infectious and noninfectious central nervous system involvement is paramount. Neuroimaging provides many clues for the specific diagnosis. Understanding the underlying disorder and pathophysiology is important for the interpretation of the images and therefore the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: moritani2001@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moritani
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Aristides
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capizzano
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Policeni
mesh_terms: D020805:Central Nervous System Viral Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000821:virology*
keywords: Brain; Diffusion weighted; Magnetic resonance; Pathology; Viral infection; White matter