MR Imaging of Human Herpesvirus-6-Associated Encephalitis in 4 Patients with Anterograde Amnesia after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation

• Published in: American Journal of Neuroradiology Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 887 - 891
• Main Authors: Gorniak, R.J.T, Young, G.S, Wiese, D.E, Marty, F.M, Schwartz, R.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL Am Soc Neuroradiology 01-04-2006; American Society of Neuroradiology
• Subjects: Adult; Amnesia, Anterograde - etiology; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Ear and associated structures. Auditory pathways and centers. Hearing. Vocal organ. Phonation. Sound production. Echolocation; Encephalitis, Viral - diagnosis; Encephalitis, Viral - etiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - adverse effects; Herpesvirus 6, Human; Human herpesvirus 6; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Human; Memory disorder; Encephalitis; Nervous system diseases; Cognitive disorder; Radiodiagnosis; Stem cell; Transplantation; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Allogeneic system; Cerebral disorder; Anterograde; Central nervous system disease; Amnesia; Neurological disorder; Human herpesvirus 6
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X; 1432-1920

MR imaging is typically obtained during the work-up of patients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant who present with unexplained change in mental status, amnesia, or seizures. Although the differential diagnosis is broad in this setting, the presence of T2 prolongation limited to the medial aspect of one or both temporal lobes with or without associated reduced water diffusion may help limit the possible diagnoses. A frequent etiology seen in this context is human herpesvirus-6 (HHV6) infection. We report the evolution of MR imaging findings and clinical course in 4 patients with limbic encephalitis probably related to HHV6.