Abstract
Although central nervous system infections in children are rare, when suspected, urgent
diagnosis and treatment are mandated to prevent morbidity and mortality. Inflammation
of the meninges alone is termed meningitis; associated involvement of the underlying
brain leads to meningoencephalitis. CSF analysis remains the gold standard in identifying
the infectious agent. Imaging plays a vital role not only in supporting the diagnosis
of meningitis or meningoencephalitis but also in identifying potential complications,
monitoring treatment response, and follow-up. The pattern of meningeal and brain involvement
can vary depending on the infectious agent; cerebral convexity meninges is commonly
involved in acute bacterial infection, basilar meninges in tuberculosis, and meningoencephalitis
in viral infection. In this article, we review the characteristic imaging appearances
of common bacterial, mycobacterial and viral agents, role of newer imaging technique,
and list potential complications.
Keywords
meningitis - cerebrospinal fluid - subarachnoid space - subdural effusion - empyema
