Zika Virus Infection: Review Of Neuroimage Studies And The Relationship Between Findings And Time Of Infection

AIM: To conduct a systematic literature review on neuroimage findings in children with microcephaly by Zika virus (ZIKV). METHOD: We performed a literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science for full-text articles reporting neuroimage exam of computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Were identified 2,214 publications. Of these 2,170 were excluded by the analysis of titles and abstracts, resulting in 7 articles included. The abnormalities presented in neuroimage showed the highest occurrence in the first trimester: decreased brain volume + increased extra-axial CSF space (100%), subcortical calcifications (89.1%), microcephaly (89.1%), ventriculomegaly (72.9%), malformation of cortical development (40.5%), basal ganglia calcifications (40.5%), megacisterna magna (39.1%). In relation to the second trimester of ZIKV infection, the most common were as follows: decreased brain volume + increased extra-axial CSF space (100%), subcortical calcifications (100%), microcephaly (85.7%), ventriculomegaly (71.4%), malformation of cortical development (71.4%), basal ganglia calcifications (19%), megacisterna magna (4.7%). In relation to the neuroimage abnormalities detected in the 3rd trimester 2 cases were found. INTERPRETATION: This systematic review is the first that evaluates brain changes in newborns with different neuroimage techniques (CT and MRI exams) and related findings with the gestational period of ZIKV infection.