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Diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities patterns in bacterial meningitis
Akiyuki Hiraga1, Kazuho Kojima1, Satoshi Kuwabara2
1Department of Neurology, Chiba Rosai Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|March 11, 2025
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) abnormalities are very common in bacterial meningitis (BM), appearing in 93% of patients. Researchers recommend DWI for all bacterial meningitis cases due to the wide spectrum of findings observed.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis (BM) can lead to serious neurological complications.
- Information regarding diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings in BM is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and patterns of DWI abnormalities in patients with culture-positive bacterial meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 14 patients with culture-positive BM who underwent MRI.
- BM defined by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture or CSF pleocytosis with positive blood culture.
Main Results:
- DWI abnormalities were detected in 13 out of 14 patients (93%).
- Observed patterns included ischemic stroke, ventriculitis, sulcal hyperintensity, scattered cerebral hyperintensities, middle meningeal arterial sign, and abscess.
- Ischemic stroke causes included infective endocarditis, vasculitis, and unclassified origins.
Conclusions:
- DWI abnormalities are highly frequent in bacterial meningitis.
- A wide spectrum of DWI abnormalities is observed in BM.
- Performing DWI for all patients with BM is recommended.
Keywords:
Bacterial meningitisDiffusion-weighted imagingInfective endocarditisMagnetic resonance imagingStrokeVentriculitisMore Related Videos
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