Splenial Lesions in Benign Convulsions With Gastroenteritis Associated With Rotavirus Infection

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Radiology

Background:

• Benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis and benign infantile epilepsy are common childhood seizure disorders.
• Acute magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities can occur in these conditions, but their specific risk factors are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify clinical risk factors associated with acute MRI abnormalities, specifically splenial lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), in patients diagnosed with benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis or benign infantile epilepsy.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 32 patients with benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis and 22 with benign infantile epilepsy who underwent MRI within seven days of seizure onset.
• Analysis of clinical data, diffusion-weighted imaging findings, and laboratory results, including rotavirus detection and C-reactive protein levels.

Main Results:

• Splenial lesions on DWI were observed in 7 patients with benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis, but not in those with benign infantile epilepsy.
• Patients with splenial lesions showed a higher incidence of rotavirus detection, elevated C-reactive protein, and a shorter interval to MRI.
• Multivariate analysis identified rotavirus infection as a significant risk factor for splenial lesions in benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis.

Conclusions:

• Splenial lesions are frequently observed during the acute phase of benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis.
• Rotavirus infection is a significant risk factor for these splenial lesions, suggesting a role in corpus callosum edema.
• The presence of splenial lesions in benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis is associated with favorable outcomes, potentially reducing the need for exhaustive investigations.