Abstract
To verify brain and spinal changes using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with HTLV-1–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. This was a systematic review. The descriptors used were tropical spastic paraparesis and magnetic resonance image. The keyword HTLV-1–associated myelopathy was also used. Twenty-three articles were included: 16 detected brain changes and 18 detected spinal changes. White matter lesions were the most frequent finding in the brain. Brain injuries were most frequently identified in the periventricular region, in the subcortical region, in the centrum semiovale, in the brain stem, and corpus callosum. Atrophy was the most frequent finding of the spinal cord, affecting the thoracic and cervical regions, and was associated with a longer evolution of myelopathy. White matter lesions in these regions were also observed. Cortical white matter lesions and thoracic spinal cord atrophy were the most frequently reported changes in patients with HTLV-1–associated myelopathy.
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This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – finance code 001. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance code 001
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APBF–conception and design of the study; data collection; analysis and interpretation of data; preparation and review of the article; and approved the final version to be published. ADFSN–data collection; analysis and interpretation of data; and approved the final version to be published. ASRF–conception and design of the study; analysis and interpretation of data; review of the article; and approved the final version to be published.
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Bastos Ferreira, A.P., do Nascimento, A.D.F.S. & Sampaio Rocha-Filho, P.A. Cerebral and spinal cord changes observed through magnetic resonance imaging in patients with HTLV-1–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis: a systematic review. J. Neurovirol. 28, 1–16 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13365-021-01043-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13365-021-01043-2