Related Experiment Videos
Haemodialysis and cerebral oedema
R J Walters1, N C Fox, W R Crum
1Department of Clinical Neurology, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Nephron
|March 13, 2001
Summary
Haemodialysis can cause brain swelling (cerebral edema) in patients, even without noticeable neurological symptoms. This study quantified a significant increase in brain volume after dialysis treatment using MRI scans.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Haemodialysis is associated with neurological symptoms, potentially due to cerebral swelling.
- Animal studies suggest cerebral swelling accompanies haemodialysis, but MRI often shows no clear edema.
- Quantifying cerebral volume changes post-haemodialysis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify potential changes in cerebral volume following haemodialysis treatment.
- To investigate the occurrence of cerebral edema in patients undergoing haemodialysis.
- To correlate cerebral volume changes with dialysis procedures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized volumetric T1-weighted MRI scans for 5 renal patients and 5 controls.
- Performed scans immediately before and after haemodialysis in patients.
- Employed precise positional matching (registration) to accurately measure cerebral volume changes.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited an average increase in cerebral volume of 32.8 ml (3% of brain volume) post-dialysis.
- Control subjects showed a minimal change of 1.4 ml in cerebral volume.
- No significant neurological symptoms were reported by patients despite observed cerebral edema.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral edema develops in patients following haemodialysis, supported by a biological model.
- Dialysis modifications may help mitigate this effect.
- Conditions like acute stroke need careful consideration in dialysis patients due to potential volume changes.