PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY FINDINGS IN NEAR DROWNING PATIENTS

In two children with near drowning hypoxic encephalopathy and normal-appearing structural MRI, acute proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 MRS) showed biochemical alterations that correctly indicated prognosis and helped to guide management decisions. Elevation of the lipid-lactate and glutamine-glutamate peaks, on the early (72 hour) H-1 MRS, predicts a poor prognosis. Absence of lipid-lactate and glutamine-glutamate peaks on the early H-1 MRS and reversibility of early mild metabolite abnormalities on follow up examination relates with good outcome.