Hypoperfusion following encephalitis: SPECT with acetazolamide

At 4 weeks and 8 months following initial symptoms, we performed single-pho ton emission computed tomography (SPECT) with acetazolamide (ACZ) testing i n a patient recovering from acute encephalitis, possibly acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Both regional hypoperfusion at baseline and dimi nished cerebrovascular reserve were seen after focal hyperintensities had d isappeared in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The time course of SPECT ab normalities reflected the clinical course more closely than the time course of MRI abnormalities. Thus, persistent cerebral circulatory impairment pro bably contributed to cognitive and language deficits observed at the subacu te stage.