Clinical and radiological variability of influenza‐related encephalopathy or encephalitis

Abstract

These findings suggested that the pathogenesis of the brain lesions in these cases was toxic or metabolic damage due to multisystemic organ diseases induced by the influenza virus. The MRI findings in patients in category 2 suggested diffuse cortical cell necrosis. On the other hand, the thalamic lesions in category 4 patients reflected hyperpermeability of the blood vessels followed by severe edema with or without microhemorrhages. The pathogenesis of lesions of category 5 included allergic angitis of a self-limiting nature. These findings indicated that the pathogenesis of brain damage induced by influenza infection was very variable.