title: [Location of foci in cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the data of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in its toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical picture of cerebral toxoplasmosis was studied in 207 patients aged 18-76 years with Stage 4B HIV infection concurrent with the disease. Brain MRI using an Obraz-1 low-field (0.12 T) MRI scanner (Russia) was carried out in 115 (55.5%) patients. This investigation was conducted in 74 (65%) treated patients over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Brain T2-weighted and FLAR MRI scans most frequently revealed higher-signal polymorphic foci and T1-weighted MRI scans showed lower-signal ones predominantly involving the white matter or white-grey matter border. Perifocal edema was often recorded. Intravenous gadolinium contrast study indicated that these foci accumulated the contrast agent around the periphery following the target patterns. Sixty-four (86.5%) patients were observed to have significant positive changes: reductions in the number and sizes of foci and the area of perifocal edema; in 29 patients, the inflammatory foci changed into cysts as a favorable outcome of necrotizing encephalitis. The foci resolved completely only in 7% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI is of great importance in intensive care, neurology, or neurosurgery units where patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis mimicking an acute cerebrovascular accident or a brain tumor are particularly frequently admitted to.
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Ermak
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Peregudova
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000469:parasitology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016781:Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium