Resolution of intracranial calcifications in infants with treated congenital toxoplasmosis

Radiology. 1996 May;199(2):433-40. doi: 10.1148/radiology.199.2.8668790.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the natural history of intracranial calcifications in infants with treated congenital toxoplasmosis.

Materials and methods: Between January 1982 and March 1994, cranial computed tomography was performed in 56 infants with treated congenital toxoplasmosis when they were newborns and approximately 1 year old. Locations and sizes of intracranial calcifications were noted.

Results: Forty newborns had intracranial calcifications. By 1 year of age, calcifications diminished or resolved in 30 (75%) and remained stable in 10 (25%) of these treated infants. Ten (33%) of the 30 infants whose calcifications diminished versus seven (70%) of the 10 infants with stable calcifications received less intensive antimicrobial treatment than the other treated infants. In contrast, a small number of infants who were untreated or treated 1 month or less had intracranial calcifications that increased or remained stable during their 1st year of life.

Conclusion: Diminution or resolution of intracranial calcifications was an unexpected and remarkable finding in infants with treated, congenital toxoplasmosis, consonant with their improved neurologic functioning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcinosis / etiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Leucovorin / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimethamine / therapeutic use
  • Sulfadiazine / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / complications
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / diagnostic imaging*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / drug therapy
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / complications
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / diagnostic imaging*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Sulfadiazine
  • Leucovorin
  • Pyrimethamine