Splenial and white matter lesions showing transiently-reduced diffusion in mild encephalopathy monitored with MR spectroscopy and imaging

Abstract

We report the time course of magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of a case with lesions of the splenium and white matter with transiently reduced diffusion in clinically reversible encephalopathy. Initially normal spectroscopy showed slightly elevated choline. Signal abnormality in T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images persisted for 90 days. Lesions of the splenium and white matter with transiently reduced diffusion in clinically reversible encephalopathy are not always reversible and may reflect heightened glial cell-membrane turnover without neuronal damage.