Fungal Infections of the Central Nervous System: A Pictorial Review

Jose Gavito-Higuera, Carola Birgit Mullins, Luis Ramos-Duran, Cristina Ivette Olivas Chacon, Nawar Hakim, Enrique PalaciosJournal of Clinical Imaging Science 2016 6(1):24-24Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) pose a threat to especially immunocompromised patients and their development is primarily determined by the immune status of the host. With an increasing number of organ transplants, chemotherapy, and human immunodeficiency virus infections, the number of immunocompromised patients as susceptible hosts is growing and fungal infections of the CNS are more frequently encountered. They may result in meningitis, cerebritis, abscess formation, cryptococcoma, and meningeal vasculitis with rapid disease progression and often overlapping symptoms. Although radiological characteristics are often nonspecific, unique imaging patterns can be identified through computer tomography as a first imaging modality and further refined by magnetic resonance imaging. A rapid diagnosis and the institution of the appropriate therapy are crucial in helping prevent an often fatal outcome.

Source: Journal of Clinical Imaging Science - June 16, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Jose Gavito-HigueraCarola Birgit MullinsLuis Ramos-DuranCristina Ivette Olivas ChaconNawar HakimEnrique Palacios Source Type: research