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Infectious Diseases of the Brain and Spine: Fungal Diseases

Dhairya A Lakhani1, Francis Deng1, Doris D M Lin1

  • 1Division of Neuroradiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps B-100 Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America
|March 30, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are increasing due to immune suppression. Recognizing imaging patterns can help distinguish these fungal CNS infections from other conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroradiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Prolonged immune suppression from medical treatments increases atypical infections.
  • Fungal central nervous system (CNS) infections present imaging challenges due to overlapping features with neoplastic and inflammatory conditions.
  • Accurate diagnosis of CNS fungal infections is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of fungal diseases affecting the CNS.
  • To highlight key imaging characteristics that aid in differentiating fungal CNS infections.
  • To emphasize the importance of recognizing diverse fungal pathogens in diagnostic neuroradiology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of fungal CNS infections.
  • Analysis of imaging findings in various fungal CNS diseases.
  • Discussion of differential diagnoses for CNS lesions in immunocompromised patients.

Main Results:

  • Fungal CNS infections exhibit a wide spectrum of imaging appearances.
  • Specific imaging features can suggest particular fungal etiologies.
  • Distinguishing fungal infections from mimics requires a broad knowledge base.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal infections are an important cause of CNS pathology in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Familiarity with imaging findings of fungal CNS infections is essential for neuroradiologists.
  • Radiological-pathological correlation is key for accurate diagnosis and patient care.
Keywords:
Atypical central nervous system infectionsFungal central nervous system infectionsTransmissible central nervous system infections

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