To investigate the clinical and imaging features of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) in children with mycoplasmmapneumonia infection.

The clinical data of 15 children with MERS diagnosed in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively.

Among the 15 cases, there were 5 males and 10 females. The onset age ranged from 2 years old to 11 years old. All the 15 cases were onset of acute infection. 8 cases were onset of vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. 2 cases were onset of respiratory tract infection such as cough. 8 cases were accompanied by fever. 15 cases were accompanied by convulsions. 2 cases were onset of consciousness disturbance. All 15 children underwent lumbar puncture and routine cerebrospinal fluid tests were in normal range. Electroencephalogram examination was abnormal in 13 children, showing slow activity in each lead. The cranial MRI examination of the onset of 4-6 d suggested that the lesions of the corpus callosum were characterized by high signal intensity of DWI sequence. Etiological examination of 15 children showed mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) -IgM or -Ab positive. In 10 children, the MRI of the corpus callosum was completely restored to normal after 7-12 d. 15 children were treated with anti-infection and azithromycin orally, but not with propofol or hormone. They were discharged after 4-14 days of hospitalization. All 10 children were reexamined with MRI at 7-12 days intervals.

Minor encephalitis/encephalopathy associated with reversible corpus callosum pressure in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is characterized by mild encephalitis or encephalopathy. The imaging of the corpus callosum is reversible and has a good prognosis.

Pneumonia, mycoplasma; Brain edema; Corpus callosum; Encephalitis; Diagnostic imaging; Child