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Published on: November 20, 2015
Hypertensive encephalopathy: complication in children treated for myeloproliferative disorders--report of three cases
M J Cooney1, W G Bradley, S C Symko
1Department of Radiology, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, CA 90806, USA.
Insights
Diffusion-weighted imaging can help differentiate seizures from hypertensive encephalopathy in children with acute leukemia. Normal diffusion-weighted images suggest hypertensive encephalopathy, allowing for prompt treatment and reversal of symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Routine brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with echo-planar diffusion-weighted sequences is standard for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Children with acute leukemia undergoing chemotherapy can present with neurological symptoms like seizures.
Observation:
- Three pediatric patients with acute leukemia presented with seizures.
- Conventional MR imaging revealed apparent acute, posterior, parasagittal infarcts.
- However, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences showed normal results.
Findings:
- The MR imaging findings, particularly the normal DWI, were inconsistent with infarcts.
- The pattern suggested hypertensive encephalopathy, a condition associated with chemotherapy.
Implications:
- Early recognition of minimal hypertension is crucial in pediatric oncology patients.
- Prompt treatment of hypertensive encephalopathy can lead to reversal of neurological symptoms.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging plays a key role in differentiating stroke mimics from actual ischemic events in this population.
Abstract:
We routinely perform echo-planar diffusion-weighted sequences in all brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies. When three children undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia presented with seizures, conventional MR images demonstrated what appeared to be acute, posterior, parasagittal infarcts. However, diffusion-weighted images were normal. These MR imaging findings were consistent with those of hypertensive encephalopathy. Early recognition and treatment of minimal hypertension in these patients allows reversal of encephalopathy.
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