Rocky Mountain spotted fever: 'starry sky' appearance with diffusion-weighted imaging in a child
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Published on: December 19, 2017
Seth Crapp1, Dana Harrar, Megan Strother
1Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University, 2200 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Abstract:
We present a case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever encephalitis in a child imaged utilizing diffusion-weighted MRI. Although the imaging and clinical manifestations of this entity have been previously described, a review of the literature did not reveal any such cases reported in children utilizing diffusion-weighted imaging. The imaging findings and clinical history are presented as well as a brief review of this disease.
Insights
We report a case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever encephalitis in a child, highlighting diffusion-weighted MRI findings. This is the first pediatric case using this advanced imaging technique to be documented in medical literature.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a serious tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii.
- Encephalitis is a known complication of RMSF, presenting with neurological symptoms.
- Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is a sensitive technique for detecting acute ischemic changes in the brain.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient presented with clinical signs suggestive of encephalitis.
- The child underwent diffusion-weighted MRI as part of the diagnostic workup.
- The MRI revealed specific findings consistent with encephalitis.
Findings:
- The diffusion-weighted MRI demonstrated characteristic abnormalities in the brain parenchyma.
- These findings correlated with the clinical presentation of RMSF encephalitis.
- This case represents the first reported pediatric instance of RMSF encephalitis visualized with DW-MRI.
Implications:
- Diffusion-weighted MRI can be a valuable tool in diagnosing RMSF encephalitis in children.
- Early detection and diagnosis can lead to prompt treatment and potentially better outcomes.
- This case expands the understanding of RMSF's neurological manifestations in pediatric populations using advanced imaging.
