8. MR Imaging In Meningoencephalitis With Its Clinical And CSF Correlation

Sagar NS, NK Kardam, KB Gehlot, Alsaba Khan, Nidhi Agrwal, Sunil Saini

ABSTRACT

Background: Encephalitis is a fatal disease syndrome where patients usually present with pyrexia and neurological derangement, which requires prompt investigations and urgent vigorous management to prevent irreversible neurological damage. Objective: Our aim was to study the spectrum of MRI findings in cases of meningo-encephalitis and its correlation with CSF findings and clinical background. Methodology: Using a standard data collection method from 50 patients undergoing MR examination and findings suggestive of meningo-encephalitis were evaluated retrospectively. CSF findings and clinical history were recorded and correlation of CSF and clinical history with MR findings was established in MR diagnosed meningo-encephalitis cases. Results: Out of the 50 patients, 29 were females and 21 were males and the mean age was 37.02 +/-15.25SD. Seasonal variations were noted with most patients being found in post rainy season. Abnormal CSF findings were seen in 74% patients with diffuse bilateral cerebral hemispheric involvement as the most common presentation (38%) and most common chief complaint encountered was pyrexia with altered sensorium (36%). Conclusion: Neuroimaging technique, particularly MRI is useful parameters in the early diagnosis of meningo-encephalitis. A conventional CSF study has asignificant positive correlation in the diagnosis of meningo-encephalitis along with relevant clinical history.

Key-words: Meningoencephalitis, MRI, Conventional CSF, Clinical Correlation.

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