Japanese encephalitis

A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. Axial T2W image shows heterogeneous hyperintensity within bilateral thalamus.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. Axial T2W Image shows heterogeneous hyperintensity noted involving pons.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. Coronal T2W FLAIR image shows heterogeneous hyperintensity involving bilateral thalamus and within pons.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. Axial T1W Image shows heterogeneous hypointensity involving bilateral thalami.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. Axial T1W Image show heterogeneous hypointensity involving pons.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. Axial Diffusion Weighted image shows restricted diffusion in bilateral thalami.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. Axial Diffusion Weighted image shows restricted diffusion in pons.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. ADC image shows restricted diffusion in bilateral thalami.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
A case of
Japanese Encephalitis.. ADC image shows restricted diffusion involving pons.
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is one of many viral encephalitides and results from infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus.

Clinical presentation

At the onset of the disease patients present with severe rigors, fevers and headache. As it progresses to the acute encephalitic stage, meningo-encephalitic symptoms such as a neck rigidity, cachexia, hemiparesis and convulsions become prevalent.

Pathology

JE is caused by the JE virus, a single-stranded RNA flavivirus. Domestic pigs and wild birds are reservoirs for the virus, which is spread by mosquitoes. It is prevalent in India, Southeast Asia and East Asia .

Radiographic features

Bilateral thalamic involvement is classical regardless of CT or MR imaging. Other areas may be involved are midbrain, pons, cerebellum, basal ganglia, cerebral cortex and spinal cord. However, imaging within 3-4 days of the onset of disease may not reveal hemorrhagic lesions.

CT
  • symmetric or asymmetric bilateral thalamic hypodensities
  • may not detect subacute or chronic hemorrhage
MRI
  • parenchymal edema in affected regions:
    • DWI: variable restricted diffusion
    • T1: low signal
    • T2/FLAIR: high signal
  • if hemorrhage is present:
    • GRE: patchy blooming

Treatment and prognosis

Only supportive treatment is available. Higher mortality rate in children. Vaccination may be preventive in endemic areas, although infection with JE confers lifelong immunity.

Differential diagnosis

Other infectious causes that can cause a similar imaging pattern include:

Causes of T2 hyperintense basal ganglia lesions can also be considered.

Hemorrhagic thalamic lesions can also be a result of:

  • deep cerebral vein thrombosis
  • basilar artery thrombosis: rarely tentorial herniation following head injury may cause thalamic infarcts

Practical points

Radiologists may face a diagnostic challenge when CT/MRI findings of both JE and neurocysticercosis (NCC) are seen in the same patient.

Theoretically, both JE and NCC share some common epidemiological factors; and in both conditions, pig acts as the intermediate carrier. Studies show that the occurrence of JE and NCC in the same patient is not just a coincidence, albeit, NCC predisposes a person to JE infection. Keeping in mind this fact may help radiologists and clinicians in proper and early management of the patient who present with mixed clinical scenario.

Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Japanische Enzephalitis:
T2
hyperintense Basalganglien
insightsimaging.springeropen.com • Open Access
Herpesenzephalitis
 
Wikipedia • CC BY 3.0
Östliche
Pferdeenzephalomyelitis
Wikipedia • Public domain