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Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in Japanese encephalitis
Mahesh Prakash1, Sunil Kumar, Rakesh K Gupta
1Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow-226014, (U.P), India.
Objective:
This study was performed to evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and to look for any relationship of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with duration of the illness.
Methods:
We performed DWI in fourteen patients of JE. T2 weighted (T2W) and DWI were compared for number and location of lesions in all patients. Based on imaging patients were divided in three groups: group 1 (n=9) showing more lesions on DWI compared with T2W images, group 2 (n=3) with equal number of lesions on T2W and DWI and group 3 (n=2) with lesions more pronounced on T2W than DWI. ADC values were computed for all the lesions. The time interval between onset of neurologic signs/symptoms and MRI were charted and correlated with ADC values.
Results:
DWI was helpful in making early diagnosis of JE by showing characteristic involvement of bilateral thalami in four patients. Nine out of fourteen patients showed additional lesions on DWI. ADC from lesions in groups I, II and III measured 0.648 +/- 0.099 x 10 mm/s, 0.739 +/- 0.166 x 10 mm/s and 1.123 +/- 0.185 x 10 mm/s respectively. The ADC from the lesions in group 1 was significantly lower compared with group 2 (P value <0.05) while it was higher in group 3 lesions compared with the other two groups. There was a significant direct correlation of ADC values with the disease duration in these cases (r=0.847, P <0.01).
Conclusions:
DWI is helpful in early diagnosis and characterization of the duration of the lesions in JE.
Insights
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) aids in the early diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis (JE). DWI also helps characterize lesion duration by analyzing apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, correlating them with disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious neurological disorder.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for patient management and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in Japanese encephalitis (JE).
- To explore the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the duration of JE illness.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted (T2W) MRI were performed on fourteen JE patients.
- Lesion characteristics on DWI and T2W were compared, and patients were grouped based on lesion visibility.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of lesions were calculated and correlated with disease duration.
Main Results:
- DWI identified characteristic thalamic involvement in JE, aiding early diagnosis.
- Nine out of fourteen patients showed additional lesions on DWI compared to T2W.
- ADC values varied between patient groups and showed a significant direct correlation with disease duration (r=0.847, P <0.01).
Conclusions:
- DWI is a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis.
- DWI, through ADC value analysis, can help characterize the duration of JE lesions.
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