CROSS SECTIONAL IMAGING IN A CASE OF RABIES ENCEPHALITIS- A RARE ENTITY

Rabies encephalitis is a severe and often fatal viral infection of the central nervous system caused by the rabies virus. This case report details the imaging features of a 32-year-old male who presented with history of fever and episodes of seizure following a dog bite to the scalp. Initial symptoms included fever, headache, and malaise, which rapidly progressed to confusion, agitation, and hydrophobia. Despite aggressive supportive care and administration of rabies immunoglobulin and the rabies vaccine, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading to death within two weeks of symptom onset. This case underscores the critical importance of identifying imaging features of rabies encephalitis for early diagnosis and prompt post-exposure prophylaxis in preventing rabies encephalitis, highlighting the need for increased awareness and vaccination efforts in high-risk areas.