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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

Journal of Neuroimaging : Official Journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
|March 18, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

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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