MR imaging in neuroborreliosis of the cervical spinal cord

Elke Hattingen; Stefan Weidauer; Matthias Kieslich; Volker Boda; Friedhelm E Zanella

doi:10.1007/s00330-004-2300-x

MR imaging in neuroborreliosis of the cervical spinal cord

Eur Radiol. 2004 Nov;14(11):2072-5. doi: 10.1007/s00330-004-2300-x. Epub 2004 Mar 27.

Authors

Elke Hattingen¹, Stefan Weidauer, Matthias Kieslich, Volker Boda, Friedhelm E Zanella

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Neuroradiology, University of Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany. elkejoerg@web.de

PMID: 15048581
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-004-2300-x

Abstract

The central nervous system is involved in 10-20% of cases in Lyme disease. The neurological symptoms, time course of the disease and imaging findings are multifaceted. We report two patients with cervical radiculitis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed strong enhancement of the cervical nerve roots on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. These imaging patterns of borrelia-associated radiculitis have not been reported before. Knowledge of these imaging features may help to diagnose neuroborreliosis, which presents with non-specific symptoms.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
Antibodies, Bacterial / cerebrospinal fluid
Borrelia* / immunology
Cefotaxime / therapeutic use
Cervical Vertebrae / innervation
Cervical Vertebrae / pathology*
Child
Contrast Media / administration & dosage
Female
Gadolinium DTPA
Humans
Lyme Neuroborreliosis / cerebrospinal fluid
Lyme Neuroborreliosis / diagnosis*
Lyme Neuroborreliosis / drug therapy
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Male
Radiculopathy / diagnosis
Radiculopathy / etiology
Spinal Cord / pathology*
Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis*

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antibodies, Bacterial
Contrast Media
Gadolinium DTPA
Cefotaxime