Application of DWI combined MRI for the diagnosis of viral encephalitis in children

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion weighed imaging (DWI) for the diagnosis of viral encephalitis in children.Methods The magnetic resonance (MR) findings of 36 children with viral encephalitis were retrospectively analysed.The location,size,signal intensity,as well as the time from the onset of neurologic symptoms to MR examination were studied.Results The lesions showed long T1 and long T2 signal intensities.Cerebral cortex,basal ganglia,thalamus were most frequently involved.Among the 36 cases,the lesions in 18 cases were shown clearer and more distinct on DWI than on conventional T2WI,the average time from the onset of neurologic symptoms to MR examination was 8.2 days.14 cases were shown clearer on conventional T2WI than on DWI,the average time from the onset of neurologic symptoms to MR examination was 12.6 days.4 cases were shown similarly on DWI and T2WI,the average time from the onset of neurologic symptoms to MR examination was 7.8 days.Conclusion DWI and conventional MRI have different advantages to show differrent pathological changes in different clinical stages.DWI combined with MRI has potential value in the early and precise diagnosis of viral encephalitis. Key words: Viral encephalitis;  Children;  Diffusion weighed imaging (DWI);  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)