An Evaluation of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Patients with Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging to the diagnosis and staging of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The study comprised 26 patients diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis at our clinic who were undergoing regular follow-up, and a control group of 18 subjects. Clinical staging was determined by Risk and Haddad classification; 12 at Stage II and 14 at Stage III. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images were taken of six areas (frontal, parieto-occipital, cerebellar, deep white matter, thalamus and basal ganglia) and by calculating the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and a comparison was made between the stages and with the control group. The ADC values of all the areas of the subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients were found to be significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While the mean ADC values of the deep white matter, basal ganglia, frontal and parieto-occipital areas of the Stage II patients were found to be significant compared to the control group (p < 0.05), there was no significance in the other areas (p > 0.05). The ADC values of all the areas of the Stage III patients were found to be significantly high compared to the Stage II values (p < 0.05). Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging can be used with other diagnostic criteria to confirm diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and to reveal differences between the stages.