Author(s)

Sessi Miralda Kiki^1,2, Kofi Mensa Savi de Tové², Sonia Adjadohoun³, Gaelle Ebinda Mipinda¹, Djivèdé Akanni², Patricia Yèkpè-Ahouansou³, Olivier Biaou³, Lucien Mwanyombet¹, Philomène Kouna Ndouongo¹

¹Radiology Department of the El RAPHA Polyclinic in Libreville, Libreville, Republic of Gabon.
²Regional and Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Medical Imaging Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Republic of Benin.
³Medical Imaging Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey Calavi, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with an increasing prevalence of related cognitive impairments. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the early detection of lesions. This work aimed to describe the MRI aspects of different brain lesions occurred in HIV positive patients in our practice. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that took place from June 2014 to July 2016 in the medical imaging department of the EL RAPHA private Polyclinic in Libreville, Gabon. It included all patients referred for imaging for the exploration of a Central Nervous System (CNS) lesions at MRI, based on clinical and/or paraclinical arguments. Results: Among the 39 patients included, 19 (48.7%) had a previous brain CT scan, 11 of which were normal (28.2%). Thirty-five (89.74%) patients had a pathological MRI. The main etiologies found were toxoplasmosis (37.14%), tuberculosis (17.14%), cerebral atrophy (17.14%) and HIV encephalitis (14.28%). Among the eleven patients with a normal Computer Tomography scan, the MRI found 7 abnormalities including 1 case of toxoplasmosis, 3 cases of HIV encephalitis and 3 cases of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). Conclusion: MRI played an important role in the diagnosis of CNS disorders in HIV-infected individuals. It can be used to differentiate and characterize various brain lesions. Improving its accessibility in sub-Saharan Africa should contribute to better care for people living with HIV.

HIV Infection, Central Nervous System, Toxoplasmosis, Tuberculosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Kiki, S. , Tové, K. , Adjadohoun, S. , Mipinda, G. , Akanni, D. , Yèkpè-Ahouansou, P. , Biaou, O. , Mwanyombet, L. and Ndouongo, P. (2020) Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Central Nervous System Lesions in HIV/AIDS: About 35 Cases in Libreville (Gabon). Open Journal of Radiology, 10, 203-214. doi: 10.4236/ojrad.2020.104020.