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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Association between scrub typhus encephalitis and diffusion tensor tractography detection of Papez circuit injury: A
Hyeok Gyu Kwon1, Jeong-Hee Yang2, Jee-Hyun Kwon3
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Sanseong-daero 13135, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Background:
It is difficult to restore the cognitive functions of patients with impaired cognition caused by brain injury. Diffusion tensor imaging can visualize the integrity of neural tracts in the white matter (WM) three-dimensionally. It is unclear whether encephalitis following scrub typhus damages the WM. For the first time, we aimed to report diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) findings in a chronic patient with cognitive impairment following scrub typhus encephalitis, which revealed injury to the Papez circuit of the WM.
Case Summary:
A 70-year-old male patient was affected by encephalitis caused by scrub typhus that occurred 23 years ago. He had poor cognition and his clinical examination findings were as follows: Mini-Mental Status Examination score, 14; and handgrip strength (right/left, kg), 32.3/31.3. DTT revealed serious injuries of the left thalamocingulate tract and right mammillothalamic tract in the Papez circuit, and a partial injury of the anterior part of the fornix.
Conclusion:
Using DTT, we found a relationship between cognitive impairment and the integrity of the Papez circuit following scrub typhus.
