Zika Virus Infection: Review Of Neuroimage Studies And The Relationship Between Findings And Time Of Infection

ABSTRACT AIM To conduct a systematic literature review on neuroimage findings in children with microcephaly by Zika virus (ZIKV). METHOD We performed a literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science for full-text articles reporting neuroimage exam of computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Were identified 2,214 publications. Of these 2,170 were excluded by the analysis of titles and abstracts, resulting in 7 articles included. The abnormalities presented in neuroimage showed the highest occurrence in the first trimester: decreased brain volume + increased extra-axial CSF space (100%), subcortical calcifications (89.1%), microcephaly (89.1%), ventriculomegaly (72.9%), malformation of cortical development (40.5%), basal ganglia calcifications (40.5%), megacisterna magna (39.1%). In relation to the second trimester of ZIKV infection, the most common were as follows: decreased brain volume + increased extra-axial CSF space (100%), subcortical calcifications (100%), microcephaly (85.7%), ventriculomegaly (71.4%), malformation of cortical development (71.4%), basal ganglia calcifications (19%), megacisterna magna (4.7%). In relation to the neuroimage abnormalities detected in the 3rd trimester 2 cases were found. INTERPRETATION This systematic review is the first that evaluates brain changes in newborns with different neuroimage techniques (CT and MRI exams) and related findings with the gestational period of ZIKV infection.