Neuroradiologic findings in Lyme disease

LocationNeurologic PresentationComments
PNSSubacute meningitis24Most common presentation in North America24
Plexus neuritis or mononeuritis multiplex255%–10% cases25
Bannwarth syndrome15Uncommon in North America15
Cranial nerveFacial nerve neuritis26,27Most commonly involved cranial nerve26
CN III and CNV28,29Few case reports28,29
CNSNonspecific bifrontal white matter T2 hyperintensity1550% of cases with CNS involvement15
Encephalitis-rhombencephalitis pattern likely25 Rare15
Vasculitis15Rare15
Spinal cordNonspecific areas of T2 prolongation15Most common pattern in spinal cord involvement15
OcularConjunctivitis and episcleritis, early stages33,34Rare33,34
Uveitis, orbital myositis, chronic intraocular inflammation33,34Rare33,34
PediatricCranial neuritis and meningitis35,36 Most common pediatric neurologic presentation35,36 
Peripheral neuritis, myelitis, Bannwarth syndrome37,38Rare37,38
Prominent Virchow-Robin spaces37,38Less common37,38
  • Note:—CN indicates cranial nerve; PNS, peripheral nervous system.