Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of a severe heat stroke patient complicated with severe cerebellar ataxia

Abstract

A 78-year-old woman was admitted for severe heat stroke with brain damage. She was unconscious on arrival at the emergency room. Her armpit temperature was 42.0°C and blood pressure was 76/25 mmHg. She was rapidly cooled and given intensive treatment. On magnetic resonance imaging, T1- and T2-weighted images showed no significant signals, but diffusion-weighted images demonstrated localized symmetrical injuries of the cerebellum and thalami. She gradually became conscious, but severe cerebellar ataxia persisted. © 2009 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.