We will illustrate the different aspects of imaging of viral encephalitis in children.

Fifty-one cases of pediatric viral encephalitis were all investigated by MRI examinations,but only seven cases were investigated by CT examinations. The MRI protocol performed was sagittal T1, axial T1, T2, T2 FLAIR, diffusion (B1000), T2 *, FLAIR after gadolinium and 3D EG T1 after gadolinium injection. This retrospective study was rated by two radiologists at the medical imaging department of the Habib Bourguiba university hospital center in Sfax, Tunisia.

The age of the children varied between 2 months and 16 years. Only two children were vaccinated. Encephalitis was primary in 5 cases (9.8%), post-infectious in 29 cases (56.8%), indeterminate in 17 cases (33.3%). Initial computed tomography scanning (CT) was negative in three of seven cases and demonstrated hypodensities above the tentorium in four of seven cases (the subacute stage). The CT is essentially used in the evaluation of calcifications. The MRI was performed in all cases and showed an abnormal signal especially above the...

Diagnosing pediatric encephalitis is challenging because of varied clinical presentation. Neuroimaging especially MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is an important component in the diagnosis of central nervous system infections (positive diagnosis and guidance for etiologic diagnosis by supposing herpes origin or disseminated acute encephalomyelitis). However, in many cases the imaging appearance is non-specific and mimics other etiologies.

Jayaraman, Kalaivani, and Anupama Chandrasekharan Rajeswaran Rangasami. "Magnetic resonance imaging findings in viral encephalitis: A pictorial essay."Journal of neurosciences in rural practice9.4 (2018): 556.