MRI and MR Spectroscopy Features of Heat Stroke: A Case Report

Heat stroke is the outcome of over heat stress that results in multiorgan dysfunction with a tendency for central nervous system damage. Brain is very sensitive to hyperthermia, especially the cerebellum that has selective vulnerability to heat stroke. There is complex interaction between heat cytotoxicity, coagulation disorder, cytotoxine - mediated systemic inflammatory response causing multiorgan failure, metabolic derangement, and circulatory insufficiency. We reviewed the literature and discussed brain MRI and MR spectroscopy findings of heat stroke, detailed the pathophysiology underlying brain involvement and proposed excitotoxic injury as an alternative mechanism of brain damage in heat stroke.