Arterial spin-labeling perfusion imaging of childhood meningitis: a case series

作者：Wong Alex Mun Ching; Yeh Chih Hua; Liu Ho Ling; Lin Kuang Lin; Wang Huei Shyong; Toh Cheng Hong^*

来源：Child's Nervous System, 2016, 32(3): 563-567.

DOI：10.1007/s00381-015-2858-4

• Arterial spin-labeling perfusion
• Meningitis
• Cerebral blood flow

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is mainly used to detect complications, is ineffective in determining the neurological status of patients with meningitis. Hemodynamic change in the brain may be more indicative of the neurological status but few imaging studies have verified this. Arterial spin-labeling (ASL) perfusion, a noninvasive MR method requiring no contrast agent injection, can be used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF).
We describe three pediatric patients with meningitis, who all showed regions of increased CBF on perfusion imaging. One patient, presenting with headache and conscious disturbance, had CBF changes in the frontal, temporal, and occipital regions. The other two patients, presenting with hallucinations, memory deficits, and seizures, had CBF changes in the frontal and temporal regions.
ASL perfusion imaging may be helpful in assessing patients with meningitis, demonstrating CBF changes more strongly correlating with the neurological status, and detecting active brain abnormalities.

• 出版日期2016-3
• 单位长春大学