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CT brain findings in a patient with elevated brain cesium levels
Simon R Khangure1, Eric S Williams, Christopher J Welman
1Department of Radiology, Fremantle Hospital; Perth, Australia - simon.khangure@health.wa.gov.au.
The Neuroradiology Journal
|December 21, 2013
Summary
This case study details a patient with elevated blood and tissue cesium levels due to cesium chloride treatment. CT scans revealed diffuse brain parenchyma attenuation, a finding linked to cesium toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cesium chloride is used as an alternative cancer treatment.
- Elevated cesium levels can lead to severe health consequences.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old woman with metastatic breast carcinoma received cesium chloride treatment.
- The patient presented with seizures and died within 48 hours of admission.
Findings:
- Brain CT revealed diffuse increased attenuation of the brain parenchyma.
- Autopsy confirmed pathologically elevated cesium levels in blood and tissues, including the brain.
Implications:
- This is the first reported case linking CT imaging findings to cesium toxicity.
- The observed CT findings are hypothesized to be due to abnormally high brain cesium levels.
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