Abstract
The purpose of this project is to investigate the clinical and brain MR characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis and encephalomyelitis. Clinical and 30 MR findings of 29 patients with EBV encephalitis or encephalomyelitis were retrospectively reviewed. Patients included 24 with encephalitis, 3 with encephalomyelitis, and 2 with brain-stem encephalitis. Altered consciousness, seizures, visual hallucination, and acute psychotic reaction were the common presentations. Eight patients had positive MR findings. These included T2 prolongation over gray and white matter, periventricular leukomalacia, and brain atrophy. Transient T2 prolongation over gray and white matter was found in one patient. Our results indicate that EBV encephalitis and encephalomyelitis have a wide range of both clinical and MR findings. The MR lesions may disappear in a short period, so the timing for the MR scan may be critical.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bhatti N, Larson E, Hickey M, Seal D (1990) Encephalitis due to Epstein-Barr virus. J Infect 20: 69–72
Shoji H, Kusuhara T, Honda Y, et al (1992) Relapsing acute disseminated encephalomyelitis associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection: MRI findings. Neuroradiology 34:340–342
Tolly TL, Wells RG, Sty JR (1989) MR features of fleeting CNS lesions associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. J Comput Assist Tomogr 13: 665–668
Bray PF, Culp KW, McFarlin DE, Panitch HS, Torkelson RD, Schlight JP (1992) Demyelinating disease after neurologically complicated primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. Neurology 42:278–282
Grose C (1988) Neurological complications of infectious mononucleosis. In: Schlossberg D (ed) Infectious mononucleosis, 2nd edn. Springer, New York Berlin Heidelberg London Paris Tokyo, pp 49–68
Grose C (1985) The many faces of infectious mononucleosis: the spectrum of Epstein-Barr virus infection in children. Pediatr Rev 7: 35–44
Hendler N, Leahy W (1978) Psychiatric and neurologic sequelae of infectious mononucleosis. Am J Psychiatry 135: 842–844
Joncas JH, Chicoine L, Thivierge R, Bertrand M (1974) Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid: a case of infectious mononucleosis with encephalitis. Am J Dis Child 127: 282–285
Halsted CC, Chang RS (1979) Infectious mononucleosis and encephalitis: recovery of EB virus from spinal fluid. Pediatrics 64: 257–258
Fleisher G, Henle W, Henle G, Lennette ET, Biggar RJ (1979) Primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus in infants in the United States: clinical and serological observations. J Infect Dis 139:553–558
Reik L Jr (1980) Disseminated vasculomyelinopathy: an immune complex disease. Ann Neurol 7: 291–296
Johnsen SD, Sidell AD, Bird CR (1989) Subtle encephalomyelitis in children: a variant of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. J Child Neurol 4: 213–216
Alvord EC Jr, Jahnke U, Fisher EH, Kies MW, Driscoll BF, Compston DA (1987) The multiple causes of multiple sclerosis: the importance of age of infections in childhood. J Child Neurol 2: 313–321
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shian, W.J., Chi, C.S. Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis and encephalomyelitis: MR findings. Pediatr Radiol 26, 690–693 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01356839
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01356839