Diffusion-weighted imaging in methanol poisoning: beyond the lentiform fork sign.

INTRODUCTION

Methanol poisoning is a life-threatening emergency, in which the presence of a lentiform fork sign on magnetic resonance imaging, although not exclusive to methanol poisoning, can be of diagnostic assistance. This report highlights the additional value of diffusion-weighted imaging in methanol poisoning.

CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with severe metabolic acidosis, coma and visual disturbances due to methanol poisoning.

IMAGES: Initial computed tomography of the brain was unremarkable. However, magnetic resonance imaging revealed the lentiform fork sign, with diffusion-weighted imaging changes in the lentiform nuclei.

CONCLUSION

Diffusion-weighted imaging sequences provide additional information compared to traditional magnetic resonance imaging in assessing methanol poisoning. Systematic evaluation is needed to fully understand and utilize the potential predictive value of diffusion-weighted imaging in this context.