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Rocky Mountain spotted fever: 'starry sky' appearance with diffusion-weighted imaging in a child
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.
