Michael H. Buonocore1, Sandra L.
Wootton-Gorges2, Nathan Kuppermann3, Ryan Caltagirone,
Nicole S. Glaser
1Radiology, UC Davis Imaging Research
Center, Sacramento, CA, United States; 2Radiology, UC Davis
Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States; 3Emergency Medicine
and Pediatrics, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States
The
purpose of this study was to measure brain water in children undergoing
treatment for DKA to assess cerebral edema. Brain water was measured on a 3T
system using FSPGR scans with five different flip angles, followed by
non-linear curve fitting to derive proton density (M0) maps, and calibrating
regional M0 map values with the values from 100% water reference vials placed
within the imaged volume. Results from seven children suggest that regional
brain water is elevated early in the course of treatment, confirming a degree
of cerebral edema. Edema increases during the course of treatment with fluids
and insulin, and then resolves after the child recovers.