MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN DEMYELINATING, INFECTIOUS, METABOLIC, AND CONGENITAL DISEASES

A mere 5 to 7 years ago, the majority of literature on demyelinating, infectious, metabolic, and congenital diseases of the brain focused on comparison between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI has become not only the foremost diagnostic tool in imagin g of the central nervous system, but also a key research instrument. T his is displayed by the recent increase in papers concerning magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It is perhaps no better illustrated than in th e study of multiple sclerosis. A review of neuroimaging in infectious diseases places a heavy emphasis on AIDS-related infections. The ongoi ng development of new scan sequences, contrast agents, and fast scanni ng techniques are broadening our image of the brain and, indeed, our u nderstanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease states. Excelle nt examples of this are the metabolic and congenital diseases where, b ased on the knowledge of metabolic pathways and embryology, MRI has be come the modality of choice.