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Lyme disease of the brainstem

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
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Abstract

Lyme disease is a multisystem infectious disease caused by the tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement typically causes local inflammation, most commonly meningitis, but rarely parenchymal brain involvement. We describe a patient who presented with clinical findings suggesting a brainstem process. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) suggested a brainstem neoplasm. Prior to biopsy, laboratory evaluation led to the diagnosis of Lyme disease. Clinical and imaging abnormalities improved markedly following antimicrobial therapy. We describe Lyme disease involvement of the cerebellar peduncles with hypermetabolism on PET. Although MRI is the primary imaging modality for most suspected CNS pathology, the practical applications of PET continue to expand.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Ronald Van Heertum, MD for providing the PET images.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Peter Kalina

  2. Department of Neurology, Northern Westchester Hospital Center, Mt. Kisco, NY, 10549, USA

    Andrew Decker

  3. Division of Neurosurgery, Northern Westchester Hospital Center, Mt. Kisco, NY, 10549, USA

    Ezriel Kornel

  4. Department of Neurology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA

    John J. Halperin

Authors
  1. Peter Kalina
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  2. Andrew Decker
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  3. Ezriel Kornel
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  4. John J. Halperin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Kalina.

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Kalina, P., Decker, A., Kornel, E. et al. Lyme disease of the brainstem. Neuroradiology 47, 903–907 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-005-1440-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-005-1440-2

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