Rabies MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D.[2]

Overview

Findings on MRI suggestive of rabies include areas of increased T2 intensity (flare) may be seen in hippocampus, hypothalamus, and brainstem.

MRI

Findings on MRI suggestive of rabies include:

Areas of increased T2 signaling may be seen in:^[1]
Rabies encephalitis may involve
- Increased T2 signal predilection for the basal ganglia, thalami, hypothalami, brainstem, limbic system, and spinal cord as well as the frontal and parietal lobes
In paralytic rabies, involvement of the spinal cord and medulla may be more pronounced

References

↑ Burton EC, Burns DK, Opatowsky MJ, El-Feky WH, Fischbach B, Melton L, Sanchez E, Randall H, Watkins DL, Chang J, Klintmalm G (2005). “Rabies encephalomyelitis: clinical, neuroradiological, and pathological findings in 4 transplant recipients”. Arch. Neurol. 62 (6): 873–82. doi:10.1001/archneur.62.6.873. PMID 15956158.

Overview