Jiraporn Laothamatas1, Witaya Sungkarat1, Boonlert Lumlertdacha2, Supaporn Wacharapluesadee3, Thiravat Hemachudha4
1Advanced Diagnostic Imaging and Image-Guided Minimal Invasive Therapy Center and Radiology Dept., Ramathibodi Hospital Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Rajataewe, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand; 3WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; 4Department of Medicine and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Only subtle abnormalities is demonstrated in early rabies encephalitis, more sensitive imaging technique; probabilistic DTI maps with voxel-based group analysis were used to study the brain and spinal cord of normal, early encephalitic and paralytic dogs. It is more sensitive in detecting, localizing and demonstrating severity of the abnormalities. Details of cytoarchitecture change of the studied areas such as BBB status, integrity of the WM and the present of cytotoxic edema VS vasogenic edema can be evaluated. It should be use in patients presenting with clinically suspected encephalitis for early detection and accurate localization of the disease for patient management.