Imaging manifestations of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

R Shah; A K Bag; P R Chapman; J K Curé

doi:10.1016/j.crad.2010.03.001

Imaging manifestations of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Clin Radiol. 2010 Jun;65(6):431-9. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2010.03.001.

Authors

R Shah¹, A K Bag, P R Chapman, J K Curé

Affiliation

¹ Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

PMID: 20451009
DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2010.03.001

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease caused by reactivation of JC virus in immunosuppressed patients. The diagnosis is usually suggested on imaging and confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for JC virus DNA. In this article, we review the imaging manifestations of PML on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), MR spectroscopy, single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron-emission tomography (PET), and outline the role of imaging in follow-up and prognostication.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Diffusion Tensor Imaging / methods
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / diagnosis*
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
Prognosis
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods
United States