ABSTRACT
Objective To explore MRI characteristics of virus encephalitis and its relevance with pathlological changes,and to improve understanding MRI features of virus encephalitis.Methods Seventeen cases of virus encephalitis clinically proven were collected and reviewed.The correlation between MRI findigns and pathology were analyzed.MRI examinations included plain scan and FLAIR scan in all 17 patients,among which 13 underwent contrast-enhanced MR scanning.Results The lesions mainly located at the cerebral cortex gray matter and the cerebrum subcortical gray matter nuclei.16 cases appeared as multiple foci,and 1 case was single focus.The foci had definite margins and with no obvious peripheral edema.The lesions were slightly hypo-or iso-intense on T_1WI,slightly intensity on T_2WI and obvious high signal intensity on FLAIR.After enhanced scan,the lesions were no obvious enhancement in 2 cases,enhancement line in the surfaces of the brain in 15 cases,in which the lesions showed patch enhancement in 6 cases and gyrus-like enhancement in 2 cases.Conclusion The pathological changes of viral encephalitis can be reflexed with MR imaging features,which is of important value in the differential diagnosis of virus encephalitis.