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Microvascular imaging findings in infants with bacterial meningitis: a case series

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Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is a severe and life-threatening disease that rapidly progresses in neonates and infants; prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are lifesaving. Magnetic resonance imaging remains the primary imaging technique for diagnosing meningitis; however, due to its limited availability and cost, ultrasound is often used for initial screening. Microvascular imaging ultrasound (MVI) is an emerging technique that offers insight into the brain microvasculature beyond conventional ultrasound. Here we present three patients with confirmed bacterial meningitis and associated cerebral microvascular findings on brain MVI to instigate further validation of cerebral microvascular imaging markers of bacterial meningitis for early detection and intervention.

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Correspondence to Misun Hwang.

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Conflict of interest

(Misun Hwang): Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Investigator Initiated Grant. Cell and Gene Therapy Grant, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Seed Grant, Society of Pediatric Radiology. R01 Grants, NIH. Lecture invitation Honorarium, Korean Society of Ultrasound Medicine. Equipment support, Siemens.

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Foran, A.T., Tierradentro-Garcia, L.O., Haddad, S. et al. Microvascular imaging findings in infants with bacterial meningitis: a case series. J Ultrasound (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-023-00867-4

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