Typical and Atypical Imaging Features of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease: A Timely Review

Typical and Atypical Imaging Features of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease: A Timely Review is organized by American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR).

Description & Learning Objectives:
West Nile virus is the most common arbovirus in the continental United States and one of the most common throughout the world. Less than 1% of West Nile virus infections result in West Nile neuroinvasive disease. Patients characteristically present with meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid myelitis, but they may have a variable clinical course and corresponding imaging manifestations. The radiologist plays an important role in making this often-elusive diagnosis. Understanding the imaging features of typical and atypical West Nile neuroinvasive disease is crucial to making a timely diagnosis, which can help prevent additional, potentially harmful testing or treatment. In this review, the authors summarize their experience with West Nile neuroinvasive disease imaging during a surge of cases at their institution.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will gain strategies to identify the typical and atypical imaging appearances of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease, to understand the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with typical imaging features of West Nile virus infection, and to recognize the environmental factors responsible for seasonal variations in West Nile virus infections.