Clinics in diagnostic imaging (75). HIV encephalopathy and cerebral aneurysmal arteriopathy.

A six-year-old girl with vertically-transmitted HIV infection had hyperreflexia. MR imaging showed diffuse prominence of the subarachnoid spaces and ventricles caused by HIV encephalopathy. Fusiform dilatation of the supraclinoid segment of the right internal carotid artery was also noted. MR angiography confirmed cerebral aneurysmal arteriopathy. Imaging findings of the various cerebral manifestations and complications found in children with AIDS coming from the primary effects of HIV, opportunistic infections, tumours, and vascular disease are discussed.