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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
08:39
Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
Published on: November 20, 2015
FLAIR vascular hyperintensity preceding stroke in cryptococcal meningitis
Nerses Sanossian1, Ron A Shatzmiller, Christina Djabiras
1Stroke Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. sanossia@yahoo.com
Summary
Fluid attenuated inversion recovery vascular hyperintensity (FVH) can signal stroke risk in cryptococcal meningitis. This neuroimaging finding may indicate impending infarction in patients with meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Ischemic stroke is a frequent complication of cryptococcal meningitis.
- Fluid attenuated inversion recovery vascular hyperintensity (FVH) typically indicates acute stroke due to sluggish blood flow.
- FVH has not been previously documented in meningitis cases.
Observation:
- A case report details a 20-year-old male diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis.
- The patient's magnetic resonance imaging revealed FVH.
- This was followed by neurological decline and diagnosis of bilateral ischemic stroke.
Findings:
- The presence of FVH in a patient with cryptococcal meningitis preceded the development of ischemic stroke.
- This neuroimaging marker was associated with subsequent neurological deterioration.
Implications:
- FVH may serve as a critical warning sign for impending ischemic stroke in meningitis patients.
- Clinicians should consider FVH as an indicator of high stroke risk in meningitis.
- This finding could prompt earlier intervention to prevent stroke in at-risk individuals.
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