Diffusion-weighted imaging shows cytotoxic and vasogenic edema in eclampsia

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2001 Jun-Jul;22(6):1068-70.

Abstract

In eclampsia, MR imaging shows reversible T2 hyperintensities in a parietal and occipital distribution. Findings on diffusion-weighted images suggest that these abnormalities are areas of vasogenic edema. We describe the presence of both cytotoxic and vasogenic edema, as detected by diffusion-weighted imaging, in a woman with eclampsia. Follow-up MR imaging showed that the regions of cytotoxic edema progressed to cerebral infarction. This case suggests that diffusion-weighted imaging allows the early detection of ischemic infarcts in patients with eclampsia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Edema / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Disease Progression
  • Dominance, Cerebral / physiology
  • Eclampsia / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Occipital Lobe / pathology*
  • Parietal Lobe / pathology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Sensitivity and Specificity