Intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging findings in the acute phase of MELAS: a case report.

OBJECTIVE

We report the clinical application of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to diagnose a case of mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) in the acute phase.

RESULTS

On IVIM MR Images of this patient, higher perfusion (f) and diffusion (D) values in the left occipital and temporal lobes were found compared to the contralateral areas.

CONCLUSION

These findings imply a breakdown of autoregulation with hyperperfusion and vasogenic edema during the acute phase of MELAS, as described in previous reports. IVIM imaging is a valuable, noninvasive tool that simultaneously quantifies perfusion and diffusion parameters.