Abstract
Background
Neuromelioidosis can present with abscesses, meningitis, or encephalomyelitis, but can be missed on blood culture. Linear enhancement of the corticospinal tract (white matter motor pathway) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the form of a ‘tunnel sign’ is an essential clue for early diagnosis of neuromelioidosis. This systematic review (SR) explores the clinical profile and outcomes of neuromelioidosis patients with tunnel signs.
Methods
An SR was conducted to look for articles reporting individual details of neuromelioidosis patients with tunnel signs (reported or present on published images) on MRI. This review followed PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024597199). After title-abstract and full-text screening, clinical profile and outcome data were extracted and analysed.
Results
Thirty cases (22 articles) with tunnel signs on MRI were included after screening 2985 articles. The traditional risk factors (diabetes mellitus, alcohol intake, steroids, etc.) for melioidosis were present in only 23 % (5/22) of patients. Limb weakness (89 %, 24/27) and cranial nerve involvement (46 %, 11/24) were commonly seen at presentation. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures for B.pseudomallei were only positive in 15 % (2/13) and 22 % (4/18). Due to low rates of clinical suspicion of neuromelioidosis (25 %, 6/24), empirical steroids and inappropriate antimicrobials were given in 47 % (8/17) and 65 % (9/17) of patients, respectively. A total of 30 % (n = 9) of the patients died.
Conclusion
In melioidosis-endemic areas with access to MRI, recognising the link between the presence of a tunnel sign and neuromelioidosis is crucial to initiate early adequate therapy.
Neuromelioidosis can present with abscesses, meningitis, or encephalomyelitis, but can be missed on blood culture. Linear enhancement of the corticospinal tract (white matter motor pathway) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the form of a ‘tunnel sign’ is an essential clue for early diagnosis of neuromelioidosis. This systematic review (SR) explores the clinical profile and outcomes of neuromelioidosis patients with tunnel signs.
Methods
An SR was conducted to look for articles reporting individual details of neuromelioidosis patients with tunnel signs (reported or present on published images) on MRI. This review followed PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024597199). After title-abstract and full-text screening, clinical profile and outcome data were extracted and analysed.
Results
Thirty cases (22 articles) with tunnel signs on MRI were included after screening 2985 articles. The traditional risk factors (diabetes mellitus, alcohol intake, steroids, etc.) for melioidosis were present in only 23 % (5/22) of patients. Limb weakness (89 %, 24/27) and cranial nerve involvement (46 %, 11/24) were commonly seen at presentation. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures for B.pseudomallei were only positive in 15 % (2/13) and 22 % (4/18). Due to low rates of clinical suspicion of neuromelioidosis (25 %, 6/24), empirical steroids and inappropriate antimicrobials were given in 47 % (8/17) and 65 % (9/17) of patients, respectively. A total of 30 % (n = 9) of the patients died.
Conclusion
In melioidosis-endemic areas with access to MRI, recognising the link between the presence of a tunnel sign and neuromelioidosis is crucial to initiate early adequate therapy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101639 |
| Journal | New Microbes and New Infections |
| Volume | 68 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISSN | 2052-2975 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
Keywords
- Burkholderia pseudomallei
- CNS melioidosis
- Encephalomyelitis
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Melioidosis
- Meningoencephalitis
- Microabscesses
- Tunnel sign