Magnetic resonance imaging of meningoradiculomyelitis in early disseminated Lyme disease

Lyme disease, a multisystem illness caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. There are 3 clinical stages of Lyme disease: early localized, early disseminated, and late persistent disease. Neuroborreliosis, infection of the nervous system by B. burgdorferi, may occur during early disseminated or late persistent disease. Spinal cord involvement in early disseminated disease is extremely rare. In patients with early disseminated neuroborreliosis, treatment with antibiotics often leads to rapid recovery and may prevent further complications of Lyme disease. The authors present the clinical and radiographic findings, both before and after treatment, in a patient with meningoradiculomyelitis due to early disseminated Lyme disease.