MRI of Emergent Intracranial Infections and Their Complications

Abstract

Acute intracranial infections of the central nervous system and skull base are uncommon but time sensitive diagnoses that may present to the emergency department. As symptoms are frequently nonspecific or lack typical features of an infectious process, a high index of suspicion is required to confidently make the diagnosis, and imaging may not only serve as the first clue to an intracranial infection, but is often necessary to completely characterize the disease process and exclude any confounding conditions. Although computed tomography is typically the initial imaging modality for many of these patients, magnetic resonance imaging offers greater sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing intracranial infections, characterizing the full extent of infection, and identifying potential complications. The aim of this article is to serve as a review of the typical and most important imaging manifestations of these infections that can be encountered in the emergent setting.

Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Routine Biochemical Level, Pathogenic Bacteria Distribution, and Risk Factors in Patients with Secondary Intracranial Infection after Brain Tumor Surgery

“…is suggests that CSF routine and biochemical tests can go some way to diagnosing intracranial infections. Nevertheless, as intracranial infections have many causes, the main common ones being bacterial, viral, and tuberculosis infections [12,13], this study further analyzed the markers of infection in the CSF of patients after brain tumour surgery. e results found that the levels of PCT, HBP, and MMP-9 in the CSF of those with intracranial infection were significantly higher than those of without infection.…”