Abstract
The temporal lobes are vulnerable to several diseases, including infectious, immune-mediated, degenerative, vascular, metabolic, and neoplastic processes. Therefore, lesions in the temporal lobes can pose a diagnostic challenge for the radiologist. The temporal lobes are connected by structures such as the anterior commissure, corpus callosum, and hippocampal commissure. That interconnectedness favors bilateral involvement in various clinical contexts. This pictorial essay is based on a retrospective analysis of case files from a tertiary university hospital and aims to illustrate some of the conditions that simultaneously affect the temporal lobes, as well as to define some neuroimaging elements that may be useful for the differential diagnosis of these diseases. Using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans, we illustrate the neuroradiological findings in confirmed cases of human herpesvirus 1, central nervous system tuberculosis, autoimmune encephalitis, Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, mesial temporal sclerosis, stroke, kernicterus, megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, low-grade glioma, and secondary lymphoma, the objective being to emphasize the importance of these imaging methods for making the differential diagnosis.
Highlights
The temporal lobe can be divided into the neocortex and the mesial temporal lobe
The mesial temporal lobe, situated medially, is part of the limbic system; it plays a role in the control of emotions, behavior, and memory, as well as regulating neuroendocrine and autonomic functions (Figure 1)
Structures such as the anterior commissure, corpus callosum, and hippocampal commissure are responsible for interconnecting the temporal lobes, favoring bilateral involvement in various clinical contexts[1]
Summary
The temporal lobe can be divided into the neocortex and the mesial temporal lobe. The neocortex corresponds to the lateral inferior surface of the lobe and is related to sight, hearing, and speech processes. The mesial temporal lobe, situated medially, is part of the limbic system; it plays a role in the control of emotions, behavior, and memory, as well as regulating neuroendocrine and autonomic functions (Figure 1). Structures such as the anterior commissure, corpus callosum, and hippocampal commissure are responsible for interconnecting the temporal lobes, favoring bilateral involvement in various clinical contexts[1]. Patients with lesions in the temporal lobe can present mental confusion or a reduced level of consciousness; imaging examinations are essential for their appropriate evaluation and early etiological diagnosis. Some of the diseases that can affect the temporal lobes are detailed below, with an emphasis on neuroradiological findings to highlight the importance of neuroimaging in the differential diagnosis
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