Is a reversible splenial lesion a sign of encephalopathy?
A reversible splenial lesion of the corpus callosum has been recognized in patients with mild encephalitis/encephalopathy associated with various infectious diseases. All reported cases of encephalitis/encephalopathy, by definition, present with neurologic signs, many of which involve seizures or mildly altered states of consciousness, such as drowsiness. We report an 8-year-old boy with influenza A infection not associated with neurologic signs, whose brain magnetic resonance images incidentally revealed a reversible splenial lesion in the corpus callosum. This case indicates that a transient splenial lesion in the corpus callosum may occur during a febrile illness, without neurologic manifestations. Therefore, physicians should not diagnose or treat a patient as encephalopathic merely because of the presence of a splenial lesion on magnetic resonance imaging.
Tsuji
Masahiro
M
Department of Pediatrics, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan. mtsujimd@ybb.ne.jp
Yoshida
Takeshi
T
Miyakoshi
Chisato
C
Haruta
Tsunekazu
T
D002648:Child; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome