cingitis

Cingitis refers to inflammation of the cingulate gyrus, a band of cortical tissue along the medial aspect of the cerebral hemisphere within the limbic system. The term is uncommon in standard practice, and inflammation in this area is more often described as part of broader encephalitic or neuroinflammatory processes. When used, cingitis implies focal involvement of the cingulate cortex rather than meninges or other brain regions.

Symptoms are variable and reflect the functions of the cingulate cortex, which is involved in emotion, cognition, and autonomic regulation. Patients may experience headaches, changes in mood or behavior, cognitive disturbances, memory difficulties, and, in some cases, seizures or focal neurological deficits. Symptoms can overlap with other neuroinflammatory or infectious conditions, making targeted diagnosis important.

Causes of cingitis include infectious etiologies (viral, bacterial, fungal), autoimmune or paraneoplastic processes (such as autoimmune encephalitis with limbic involvement), ischemic or inflammatory vascular conditions, metabolic or toxic insults, and post-infectious or post-traumatic inflammation. It may occur as a focal manifestation of a more widespread disease or as an isolated lesion.

Diagnosis typically involves neuroimaging, with magnetic resonance imaging often showing inflammatory changes or hyperintensities in the cingulate gyrus. Additional testing includes electroencephalography, lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid analysis, infectious disease workup, and autoimmune/paraneoplastic panels. Brain biopsy is rarely needed but may be considered in uncertain cases.

Treatment targets the underlying cause. Autoimmune or inflammatory etiologies may respond to corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, or plasmapheresis, with other immunomodulatory therapies as needed. Infectious causes require appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The prognosis varies with etiology and extent of involvement and can range from complete recovery to persistent neurological or cognitive impairment.