1 day later:

Diffuse Cerebral Edema

Findings:

Noncontrast CT demonstrates loss of gray white differentiation and subtle sulcal effacement, with progressive findings on short term follow up CT.

Differential diagnosis:

Cerebral edema, technical/motion artifacts, inappropriate technique or viewing windows.

Discussion:

-sequelae of massive global hypoxic insult

-loss of gray white differentiation, may be subtle early, cortical G-W lost usually before deep gray/internal capsules

-causes: severe hypoxia at cellular level (hypoxia/anoxia, carbon monoxide poisoning, severe hypotension, cardiopulmonary arrest)

-prognosis is poor

BACK TO MAIN PAGE