Evaluation of Brain Infection on Magnetic Resonance Imaging & Its Correlation with CSF Findings

Abstract

Introduction: Brain infections represent a complex diagnostic
challenge in clinical neurology, requiring sophisticated
diagnostic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the
correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
findings and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in diagnosing
brain infections.
Material and Methods: A prospective observational study
was conducted on 64 patients suspected of brain infections.
Participants underwent comprehensive MRI examinations
using Siemens Magnetom Skyra 3 Tesla and Sempra 1.5 Tesla
machines, along with detailed CSF analysis. Multiple diagnostic
parameters were evaluated, including clinical presentation,
imaging characteristics, and laboratory findings.
Results: The study population was predominantly male
(54.7%), with most patients aged 20 to 40 years. Tubercular
meningitis emerged as the most common diagnosis across
diagnostic methods. MRI demonstrated high diagnostic
accuracy, with 97.8% sensitivity for tubercular meningitis
and 90.9% for viral infections. Clinical presentations were
predominantly characterized by fever (84.4%) and headache
(68.8%). Imaging revealed single lesions in 50% of patients,
with the temporal region and basal ganglia as the most frequent
infection sites. Significant variations in CSF parameters were
observed across different infection types.
Conclusion: The study highlights the complementary nature of
MRI and CSF analysis in diagnosing brain infections. The multimodal
approach proved crucial in accurately characterizing
different types of neurological infections, emphasizing the
importance of comprehensive clinical, imaging, and laboratory
assessments.