Prospective cerebral MR study of HIV seropositive and seronegative men: correlation of MR findings with neurologic, neuropsychologic, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis

Abstract

Purpose: As part of a longitudinal study of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection, we attempted to identify early cerebral MR findings that might correlate to clinical evidence of central nervous system involvement.

Methods: We studied 65 seropositive and 40 seronegative homosexual males using cranial MR, neurologic, immunologic, and neuropsychologic examinations.

Results: The incidence of mildly enlarged ventricles, sulci, and punctate areas of abnormal signal in both groups was similar in both groups. Diffuse, poorly defined areas of abnormal white matter signal were difficult to consistently identify in seropositives. Enlarged adenoidal lymphoid tissue was found in 30 (46%) of seropositives and 2 (5%) of seronegatives (P = .0001). The incidence of sinus inflammatory change was similar in the two groups.

Conclusion: MR of intracranial contents is substantially normal in a non-AIDS HIV(+) population.