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Acute mountain sickness with reversible vasospasm.
Yuji Johmura1, Tatsuya Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Kuroiwa
1Department of Neurology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama 232-0024, Japan. johmura@urahp.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|July 10, 2007
Summary
A traveler developed severe symptoms after ascending over 4,000m, diagnosed as high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Brain imaging revealed vasospasm and swelling, which resolved with recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Altitude Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can progress to severe forms.
- High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a life-threatening condition.
- Rapid ascent to high altitudes poses significant physiological challenges.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old woman experienced headache, anorexia, and malaise after traveling to altitudes exceeding 4,000m.
- Neurological symptoms developed following high-altitude exposure.
- The patient underwent diagnostic imaging due to severe symptoms.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed increased T2 signal in the corpus callosum, particularly the splenium.
- MR angiography (MRA) revealed widespread cerebral vasospasm.
- Imaging abnormalities resolved completely on follow-up MRI scans.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe neurological manifestations of high altitude exposure.
- Early diagnosis and recognition of HACE are crucial.
- Reversible vasospasm and corpus callosum abnormalities can occur in HACE.
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