Discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentations of the different types of infectious and inflammatory myelopathies. Review the main MR imaging findings of infectious and inflammatory diseases affecting spinal cord. Propose a systematic approach to diagnosis.

Infectious and inflammatory myelitis are rare conditions affecting the spinal cord. Besides rare, they may cause varying degrees of motor and sensorial disabilities leading to a strong socioeconomic impact on the affected societies. High clinical suspicion and precocious treatment may help minimizing this impact. Infectious and inflammatory myelitis are a diagnostic challenge, due to its non specific clinical presentations and imaging findings, sometimes hard to differentiate from other etiologies, such as neoplastic lesions. Therefore, the diagnosis relies on a combination of detailed clinic history, physical...

As briefly discussed, diseases affecting the spinal cord must be recognized as early as possible to prevent progression which may lead to permanent disability. In this way, we present a case series of the main infectious/inflammatory myelitis of our practice with an objective approach to its main clinical and MRI characteristics. NEUROTOXOPLASMOSIS Neurotoxoplasmosis consists of a parasitic infection caused by an intracellular protozoan named Toxoplasma gondii. This condition is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients, mainly in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The brain is the most...

Considering the difficulty to accomplish the diagnosis and the importance of the radiologist in infectious and inflammatory myelopathies, it is of utmost importance to have a complete comprehension of the radiological characteristics of such lesions.

M. B. R. Pinto; Sao Paulo, SP/BR - nothing to disclose B. Trapp; São Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose G. Gomez; São Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose D. Costa; São Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose

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