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Rhombencephalitis: pictorial essay.
Líllian Gonçalves Campos1, Régis Augusto Reis Trindade2, Ângela Faistauer3
1MD, Neuroradiologist at Hospital Moinhos de Vento and the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Radiologia Brasileira
|November 8, 2016
Summary
Rhombencephalitis, an inflammation of the hindbrain, is most commonly caused by Listeria infection in young adults. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosing this condition and guiding treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Rhombencephalitis is inflammation affecting the brainstem and cerebellum.
- Etiologies include infections, autoimmune diseases, and paraneoplastic syndromes.
- Listeria bacterial infection is the most frequent cause, particularly in young adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse causes of rhombencephalitis.
- To correlate clinical presentations with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
- To emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis for timely treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of confirmed rhombencephalitis cases.
- Analysis of clinical data and patient history.
- Correlation of diagnostic imaging (MRI) patterns with etiologies.
Main Results:
- Listeria infection presents with a biphasic course and characteristic MRI abnormalities.
- Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis is observed in 75% of cases.
- Nearly all patients exhibit abnormal brain MRI scans, aiding in etiological determination.
Conclusions:
- Accurate and early diagnosis of rhombencephalitis is critical due to potentially severe outcomes.
- MRI findings are instrumental in identifying the cause of rhombencephalitis.
- A comprehensive diagnostic approach is essential for effective management.
