A unique MRI presentation of fungal infection in the brain

Muhammad B S Khan, Good Samaritan Hospital
Saad Shafqat, Aga Khan University
Syed A Enam, Aga Khan University

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Fungal infections of CNS are common in certain geographic locations. MRI with or without contrast is a useful prediagnostic

tool. However, the findings may sometimes be misleading. In this case report, the authors present unusual

imaging findings in the MRI of fungal infection in an immunocompetent host, whereby hyper-intense signals were seen on

T2-weighted images and patchy post-contrast enhancement was observed with surrounding edema. These findings were

suggestive of a neoplastic lesion but it was identified as aspergillosis on subsequent histopathology. This unusual MRI

finding of CNS highlights the need to consider fungal infection as a differential diagnosis of all mass lesions on MRI,

irrespective of their signal characteristics.