Carbon monoxide toxicity: MR imaging in the brain

Two cases of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of intracranial abnormalities resulting from carbon monoxide toxicity are presented. Both cases demonstrate lesions in the globus pallidi of high MR signal intensity that correspond to previously reported abnormalities; the second case illustrates bilateral cortical high signal intensity lesions. The superiority of MR imaging in comparison with computed tomography is demonstrated in one case. The known effects of carbon monoxide toxicity in the brain are correlated with the findings of MR imaging.