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MRI of lightning injury: early white matter changes associated with cerebral dysfunction
W J Milton1, R Hal O'Dell, E G Warner
1Department of Radiology, Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City 73112, USA.
The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association
|March 1, 1996
Abstract:
A previously healthy male was struck by lightning. He developed neurologic deficits, including mild cerebral brain dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed numerous foci of hyperintensity on long TR images, scattered throughout the supratentorial white matter. To our knowledge, the early MRI findings of lightning injury have not been previously reported.
Insights
Lightning strike survivors may experience brain dysfunction. Early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed white matter abnormalities in a patient, findings not previously documented.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Lightning strike is a rare but severe traumatic event.
- Neurologic deficits are common sequelae of lightning injuries.
- Early neuroimaging findings in lightning strike victims are not well-characterized.
Observation:
- A previously healthy male presented with neurologic deficits after a lightning strike.
- Clinical presentation included mild cerebral brain dysfunction.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate the neurologic deficits.
Findings:
- MRI revealed multiple foci of hyperintensity on long TR images.
- These abnormalities were distributed throughout the supratentorial white matter.
- These specific MRI findings in the acute phase of lightning injury appear to be previously unreported.
Implications:
- This case highlights the utility of MRI in diagnosing and understanding lightning-related brain injury.
- Early MRI findings may aid in the diagnosis and management of patients with lightning-induced neurologic deficits.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology and long-term consequences of these imaging findings.