Comparison of MRI sequences to detect ventriculitis

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006 Oct;187(4):1048-53. doi: 10.2214/AJR.04.1923.

Abstract

Objective: The ability of different MRI sequences to depict characteristic findings suggestive of ventriculitis was compared.

Conclusion: The study comprised 20 brain MRI studies in 13 patients who had a final diagnosis of ventriculitis. Both diffusion-weighted imaging and FLAIR imaging were equally and highly sensitive for detecting intraventricular debris and pus--the most common MRI finding suggestive of ventriculitis. FLAIR imaging was superior to contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging for depicting ventricular wall abnormalities--a less common finding that also is suggestive of ventriculitis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Ventricles
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Encephalitis / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged