title: Susceptibility-weighted imaging in heat stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the role of susceptibility-weighted imaging in the detection of intracranial hemorrhage after heat stroke and in the prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of eight patients after heat stroke, with a score of 3 to 9 in Glasgow Coma Scale. The MR studies were performed with a 1.5 T scanner. Susceptibility-weighted imaging data were collected within 2-5 days after heat stroke. The study was approved by ethics committee, and written informed consents were obtained from family members of the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Punctate hemorrhages were detected in brain stem, corona radiata and frontal lobe by susceptibility-weighted imaging for three patients. Among the three cases, two patients came to death in the 5th day and the 25th day after heat stroke respectively. Another patient became a persistent vegetative state and died about 3 months later. Five patients with no hemorrhage detected gradually recovered and cerebellar dysfunction remained to various degrees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by hyperthermia and accompanied by various complications such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. Susceptibility-weighted imaging is a very useful tool for detection of intracranial hemorrhage and may probably evaluate the prognosis after heat stroke.
authors.affiliation: Nursing college, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Xue-yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis