Magnetic resonance imaging in rabies

Abstract

Rabies encephalitis has a classical clinical presentation and its diagnosis is unmistakable. In about a fifth of cases rabies occurs as its paralytic form, which lacks the classic symptoms and may mimic other diseases, especially acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in rabies shows a distinct abnormal pattern that differentiates it from ADEM. Hence it may be a useful tool in diagnosis of paralytic rabies. Failure to administer post-exposure rabies immunoglobulin along with the rabies vaccine may result in vaccine failure.