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Current Medical Imaging

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ISSN (Print): 1573-4056
ISSN (Online): 1875-6603

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Review Article

T2/FLAIR Hyperintensity in Mesial Temporal Lobe: Challenging Differential Diagnosis

Author(s): Sungjun Moon*

Volume 18, Issue 3, 2022

Published on: 12 July, 2021

Article ID: e120721194704 Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/1573405617666210712130555

Price: $65

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Abstract

T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the mesial temporal lobe is the most common MR finding of herpes simplex encephalitis, but may be observed in other infectious and non-infectious diseases. The former includes herpes human virus 6 encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and neurosyphilis, and the latter autoimmune encephalitis, gliomatosis cerebri, bilateral or paradoxical posterior cerebral artery infarction, status epilepticus, and hippocampal sclerosis. Thus, T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the mesial temporal lobe is not a disease-specific magnetic resonance imaging finding, and these conditions must be differentiated to ensure proper treatment. We review diseases that present with T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the mesial temporal lobe and provide a helpful flow chart based on clinical and radiologic features.

Keywords: Herpes simplex encephalitis , herpes human virus 6 encephalitis , Japanese encephalitis , neurosyphilis , autoimmuneencephalitis , gliomatosis cerebri , status epilepticus , hippocampal sclerosis , ischemic stroke .

Graphical Abstract

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