Teaching NeuroImages: Typical neuroimaging features in high-altitude cerebral edema

A 61-year-old man presented with thunderclap headache followed by loss of consciousness, 2 days after arriving in Atacama Desert, Andes Mountains, Chile, at 4,000 meters. Examination showed coma. Mechanical ventilation was necessary. He had progressive improvement after transfer to low altitudes. Brain MRI showed diffuse vasogenic edema and microhemorrhages (figure), and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) was diagnosed.

Source: Neurology - October 2, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Marussi, V. H. R., Pedroso, J. L., Piccolo, A. M., Barsottini, O. G., Moraes, F. M. d., Oliveira, A. S. B., Freitas, L. F., Amaral, L. L. F. d. Tags: MRI, Other cerebrovascular disease/ Stroke, All Clinical Neurology RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research