Transient MR signal changes in the splenium of the corpus callosum in rotavirus encephalopathy: value of diffusion-weighted imaging

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2002 Sep-Oct;26(5):825-8. doi: 10.1097/00004728-200209000-00028.

Abstract

The authors report serial brain MR findings from a 2-year-old girl with rotavirus encephalopathy. The lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum showed restricted proton diffusion, suggesting local cytotoxic edema. Diffusion-weighted images demonstrated the lesion more conspicuously than other techniques, such as fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery and T1- and T2-weighted images. The findings were reversible on follow-up MRI obtained 4 days later. Diffusion-weighted MRI is a potentially useful method for detecting early changes of rotavirus encephalopathy, although the mechanism of the restricted diffusion is not clearly identified.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Corpus Callosum / pathology*
  • Encephalitis, Viral / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Rotavirus Infections / pathology*