Sergio Tapia Concha MD, Pharm D, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hector Vidal Trueba, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Enrique Marco De Lucas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Natalia Valle San Roman, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sara Sanchez Bernal, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eva Ruiz Perez, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To review the most frequent clinical findings and diagnostic criteria of rhombencephalitis. To show the main imaging findings of rhombencephalitis. To analyze the most usual ethiologies and their differential diagnosis.

1- Clinical diagnosis of rhombencephalitis. 2- Diagnostic imaging work-up: CT, MRI, PET. 3- Review of imaging findings of the main ethiologies:   - Infectious:                 - Listeria monocytogenes.                 - Epstein-Barr virus.                 - tuberculosis.                 - pneumococcal infection.                 - Brucella species infection.                 - JC virus.                 - VIH/AIDS.                 - Mycosis.   - Inflammatory:                 - Behçet disease.                 - Multiple sclerosis/ ADEM. .                 - systemic lupus erythematosus.                 - sarcoidosis.                 - Vasculitis.                 - paraneoplastic syndrome. 4. Mimics, pearls and pitfalls.                - Neoplasms: Brainstem glioma, intravascular lymphoma...                - Vascular diseases: infarction, capillary telangiectasia...                - Degenerative diseases.                - Toxic-Methabolic. 5. References.                                                 

Rhombencephalitis refers to inflammatory diseases affecting the hindbrain (brainstem and cerebellum) and has a wide variety of etiologies. A proper diagnosis is mandatory in order to avoid  potentially severe and life threatening complications. An accurate imaging differential diagnosis is crucial in the management of these patients.

Tapia Concha, S, Vidal Trueba, H, De Lucas, E, Valle San Roman, N, Sanchez Bernal, S, Ruiz Perez, E, Rhombencephalitis: Imaging Differential Diagnosis of Inflammatory Diseases Affecting the Brainstem.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12028645.html