Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in adults with severe falciparum malaria.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows detailed study of structural and functional changes in the brain in patients with cerebral malaria.

Methods: In a prospective observational study in adult Bangladeshi patients with severe falciparum malaria, MRI findings in the brain were correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters, retinal photography and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) ultrasound (a marker of intracranial pressure).

Results: Of 43 enrolled patients, 31 (72%) had coma and 12 (28%) died.