MRI shows symmetrical restricted diffusion in bilateral cerebral periventricular white matter, centrum semiovale, internal capsules, corpus callosum and in ventral brainstem along bilateral corticospinal tracts. These changes are not evident on T2 or FLAIR imaging. No blooming artefact is seen.
These features in the above clinical context are most suggestive of acute leucoencephalopathy due to rotavirus infection. Stool samples were positive for rotavirus.