Possible Prognostic Value of Serial Brain MRIs in Powassan Virus Encephalitis

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Oct;25(10):1956-1958. doi: 10.3201/eid2510.181262.

Abstract

Powassan virus (POWV) encephalitis is a rare tickborne illness. We describe the clinical course, laboratory findings, and imaging for a patient with POWV in Massachusetts, USA. Clinical presentation and laboratory findings were nonspecific. Improvement on brain magnetic resonance imaging after 2 weeks preceded clinical improvement by months, suggesting possible prognostic value.

Keywords: MRI; Powassan virus; United States; deer tick encephalitis; flavivirus; magnetic resonance imaging; meningitis/encephalitis; serial brain MRI; viruses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / virology
  • Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne*
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Prognosis