ABSTRACT
Introduction: Encephalitis is defined as inflammation of thebrain parenchyma. Study was done to determine the role ofDWI/ADC in the early diagnosis of acute viral encephalitis.Material and methods: 26 patients with clinical andlaboratory (CSF, blood culture) evidence of encephalitis wereprospectively evaluated with MRI, DWI/ADC and SWI withpatients divided into three groups on the basis of durationbetween the onset of clinical symptoms and timing of MRIbrain.Results: Of the total 26 patients imaged with age range of 3-70years (mean age 45 years), 20 were males and 6 were femaleswith a male to female ratio of 3.3:1. Group 1 comprised 8patients, group 2 and group 3 comprised 9 patients each. Pvalues were significant (p<0.05) between mean ADC valuesand their respective groups. We also found statisticallysignificant difference between group 2 and group 3 (p=0.041)with no statistically significant difference between groups 1and 2; and groups 1 and 3.Conclusion: MRI plays vital role in patients of acuteencephalitis in not only excluding intracranial space occupyinglesions but also in early diagnosis and specific treatment, thusreducing disease related morbidity and mortality. DWI/ADCis now an essential sequence in the colossal armamentariumof MRI sequences which not only helps in early diagnosis ofacute viral encephalitis but also has prognostic implications.