Imaging of Atypical Brain Infections and Infection Mimics in Children

Atypical brain infections in the pediatric age group are uncommon and different from the adult population; however, when present, they pose a diagnostic challenge and can result in serious and potentially fatal complications if not recognized and treated early in the course of the disease. Imaging plays a vital role because of relative inaccessibility to tissue sampling. This review article regroups the atypical pediatric brain infections (parasitic, fungal, viral, and bacterial) by age group (prenatal, perinatal, and post-neonatal period) and elucidates their characteristic imaging appearance, as well as focuses on their complications, in an aim to help clinicians (pediatricians/pediatric neuroradiologists/radiologists) better characterize, diagnose, and guide patient treatment. In addition, this review article also emphasizes on infection mimics of the central nervous system in order to empower our differential diagnosis, improve our diagnostic accuracy, and avoid unindicated patient management and treatment.