Related Experiment Videos
Cerebral infarction in eclampsia
Gerda G Zeeman1, James L Fleckenstein, Diane M Twickler
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex, USA. g.g.zeeman@isala.nl
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|March 26, 2004
Summary
Neuroimaging reveals that cerebral edema in eclampsia, often reversible vasogenic edema, can progress to cytotoxic edema and infarction in some women. Diffusion-weighted MRI helps characterize these brain lesions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Eclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy characterized by seizures.
- Cerebral edema is a known complication of eclampsia, but its neuroimaging characteristics are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the neuroimaging findings of cerebral edema in eclamptic seizures using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main Methods:
- Diffusion-weighted MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping were used to evaluate 27 nulliparous women with eclampsia.
- Follow-up neuroimaging was performed 6 weeks postpartum for women with findings suggestive of cytotoxic edema.
Main Results:
- Ninety-three percent of women exhibited reversible vasogenic edema.
- Six women also had cytotoxic edema, indicative of cerebral infarction.
- Five of these six women showed persistent infarction findings postpartum, yet without clinical neurological deficits.
Conclusions:
- The spectrum of cerebral lesions in eclampsia varies.
- Reversible vasogenic edema can progress to cytotoxic edema and infarction in up to 25% of women.
- Diffusion-weighted MRI is valuable for assessing these brain lesions.