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MR imaging features of Nipah encephalitis
S A Sarji1, B J Abdullah, K J Goh
1Department of Radiology, University of Malaya Medical Center, Jalan Universiti, Malaysia.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|August 1, 2000
Summary
Nipah virus encephalitis, a severe illness, shows characteristic brain lesions on MR imaging. These findings are crucial for diagnosing this potentially fatal condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Nipah virus causes severe, acute febrile encephalitic illness with high mortality.
- Understanding the neuroimaging manifestations of Nipah encephalitis is critical for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in patients diagnosed with Nipah encephalitis.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging of the brain was conducted on 31 patients with Nipah encephalitis, categorized into acute, later acute, and relapsed/late-onset groups.
- Standard spin-echo T1- and T2-weighted, and T2-weighted FLAIR sequences were utilized.
- Contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- FLAIR sequences identified abnormalities in all patients, primarily discrete, high-signal-intensity lesions (2-7 mm) in the subcortical and deep white matter.
- Lesion characteristics were similar in acute and later phases, with no mass effect or edema observed.
- Relapsed and late-onset cases showed confluent cortical involvement, distinct from the focal white matter lesions in acute encephalitis.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging is a sensitive and specific diagnostic modality for Nipah encephalitis.
- Imaging findings suggest widespread microinfarctions due to vasculitis as the underlying pathology.