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Congenital brain infections

Andres Arbelaez1, Feliza Restrepo, Jorge Davila

  • 1From the *Neuroradiology Section, Radiological Department, Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia; †Neuroradiology Unit, Link Diagnostico Digital, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia; ‡Diagnostic Imaging Department, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; §University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; and ∥American Society of Neuroradiology, Chapel Hill, NC.

Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging : TMRI
|June 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Congenital intracranial infections in children are rare but serious, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe neurological disabilities. This review covers common infections and their key imaging features.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Pediatric congenital intracranial infections are uncommon but significant causes of pediatric illness.
  • These infections present differently in children than adults, necessitating specialized diagnostic approaches.
  • Despite medical advancements, central nervous system infections remain a major global cause of neurological impairment in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the most common types of congenital intracranial infections in pediatric patients.
  • To describe the characteristic imaging findings associated with these infections.
  • To emphasize the importance of early recognition and treatment to mitigate adverse outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of common congenital intracranial infections.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic imaging findings.
  • Synthesis of information on epidemiology, etiology, and management.

Main Results:

  • Common congenital intracranial infections include bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis, and parasitic infections.
  • Imaging modalities like MRI and CT are crucial for identifying structural changes and inflammation.
  • Specific imaging patterns aid in differentiating between various infectious agents and complications.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis and timely intervention are critical for improving outcomes in pediatric congenital intracranial infections.
  • Understanding the distinct clinical and imaging features is essential for effective management.
  • Continued research and improved diagnostic tools are needed to further reduce the burden of these infections.

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