The Changing Epidemiology of Central Nervous System Infection: Can Radiologists Keep Up?

Brenda Sze Peng Ang; Thirugnanam Umapathi; Tchoyoson Lim

doi:10.1016/j.nic.2022.03.002

The Changing Epidemiology of Central Nervous System Infection: Can Radiologists Keep Up?

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2023 Feb;33(1):1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2022.03.002.

Authors

Brenda Sze Peng Ang¹, Thirugnanam Umapathi², Tchoyoson Lim³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
² Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
³ Department of Neuroradiology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433. Electronic address: tchoyoson@gmail.com.

PMID: 36404037
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2022.03.002

Abstract

Diagnostic radiologists can increase their clinical value by supplementing image pattern recognition with knowledge of epidemiology and geographic distribution of central nervous system (CNS) infections and their causative organisms. This article reviews the changing global disease patterns, as well as zoonotic outbreaks of henipaviruses, coronaviruses, and other emerging, reemerging, and vector-borne organisms; case examples highlight typical imaging features of CNS infections and their mimics. Technical advances in neuroimaging help to enhance the value of radiologists to the multidisciplinary team and the responses to future pandemic preparation.

Keywords: Emerging infection; Epidemiology; Mimics; Multidisciplinary teams (MDT); Zoonotic outbreak.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Central Nervous System Infections* / diagnostic imaging
Central Nervous System Infections* / epidemiology
Humans
Neuroimaging / methods
Radiologists