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The Pattern of Brain Microhemorrhages After Severe Lung Failure Resembles the One Seen in High-Altitude Cerebral
Sebastian Riech1, Kai Kallenberg, Onnen Moerer
11Department of Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. 2Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. 3Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Objectives:
After suffering from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, several patients show generalized brain alterations and atrophy. A distinctive morphologic pattern of cerebral injury, however, has not been found so far.
Data Sources:
We present the history of three patients who survived severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. In these patients, MRI of the brain showed multiple microhemorrhages predominantly in the splenium of the corpus callosum. An identical pattern of microhemorrhages has previously been described in mountaineers who suffered from high-altitude cerebral edema.
Conclusions:
This report demonstrates that patients after treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome and high-altitude cerebral edema show congruent cerebral injuries. Further investigation into the similarities of the causative conditions and neurologic consequences might reveal underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical implications of this observation.
Insights
Patients surviving severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may exhibit unique brain injuries. A pattern of microhemorrhages in the corpus callosum splenium was observed, similar to high-altitude cerebral edema.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can lead to generalized brain alterations and atrophy.
- A specific pattern of cerebral injury following ARDS has not been previously identified.
Observation:
- Three patients who recovered from severe ARDS underwent brain MRI.
- Multiple microhemorrhages were detected, primarily in the splenium of the corpus callosum.
Findings:
- The observed pattern of microhemorrhages in ARDS survivors is identical to that seen in high-altitude cerebral edema.
- This suggests congruent cerebral injuries between these distinct conditions.
Implications:
- This finding highlights potential shared pathophysiologic mechanisms between ARDS and high-altitude cerebral edema.
- Further research may elucidate the neurological consequences and clinical implications of these shared injuries.
