MRI in intracranial paracoccidioidomycosis

Five male patients, aged between 10 and 55 years, with diagnosed central nervous system paracoccidioidomycosis were examined with a 1.5 TMR system. T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences were obtained before and after contrast medium MRI findings ranged from a single lesion in one patient to multiple rounded lesions in four. The lesions were iso- to hypointense on Tl-weighted images and hypo or hyperintense on T2-weighted images. After contrast injection, there was ring and/or nodular enhancement. The lesions had a slight preference for the posterior cranial fossa, but were also found in many other supratentorial areas. MRI proved to be a good method for the demonstration of paracoccidioidomycosis brain involvement, especially with the use of contrast medium.