Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of encephalitis.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate how well diffusion-weighted MR imaging shows viral or bacterial encephalitis in comparison with conventional MR imaging that includes T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery sequences.


CONCLUSIONS
In nine of the 13 patients examined, diffusion-weighted imaging was superior to other diagnostic imaging sequences (fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery sequences in eight patients and a T2-weighted spin-echo sequence in one patient). Diffusion-weighted imaging can serve as a method of detecting early encephalitic changes.
Tsuchiya
K
K
Department of Radiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
Katase
S
S
Yoshino
A
A
Hachiya
J
J
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000473:pathology*; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies