Mild encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesions associated with a rotavirus infection

We present the case of a 4 1/2-year-old boy with gastrointestinal symptoms and somnolence who was admitted to our hospital. The diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a restricted boomerang-shaped diffusion disorder in the splenium of the corpus callosum. The electroencephalograph (EEG) showed slow waves, fecal rotavirus antigen was positive, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination remained negative. Within a few days of infusion therapy the patient's clinical condition significantly improved and the diagnostic imaging 4 weeks later showed complete resolution of the lesion. We diagnosed a mild encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesions (MERS type I) associated with a rotavirus infection.