MR imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging and MR spectroscopy findings in acute rapidly progressive subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

We are presenting two cases with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis of acute and rapid form, which were initially diagnosed as acute viral encephalitis. We obtained both diffusion-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, whose findings suggested the presence of acute inflammatory and metabolic changes with peculiar distribution, which were not observed on conventional MR imaging. These techniques might help to demonstrate the extent and progression of the panencephalitis.