title: Imaging in viral infections of the central nervous system: can images speak for an acutely ill brain?
abstract: Viral infections involving the central nervous system (CNS) may result from a wide variety of agents and have clinically overlapping manifestations. The diagnosis is often made based on a combination of the clinical exam, local epidemiology, imaging, and biochemical findings. Despite the advances in medicine and imaging, the diagnosis often remains elusive. Imaging, however, still plays a vital role in suggesting the diagnosis in typical cases, excluding potential mimics, and in evaluating changes with therapy. Herein, the authors present a review of various common and rare viral encephalitides with emphasis on the imaging literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA. vijethamaller@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vijetha Vinod
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Maller
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bathla
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moritani
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Helton
mesh_terms: D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000821:virology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans
keywords: CNS; Encephalopathy; Infection; Myelitis; Viral