Hypertensive Encephalopathy with Reversible Brainstem Edema.
10.3340/jkns.2013.54.2.139
- Author:
Sungjoon LEE
1
;
Byung Kyu CHO
;
Hoon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Brain stem;
Edema;
Encephalopathy;
Hypertension
- MeSH:
Adult;
Blood Pressure;
Brain Stem;
Diffusion;
Edema;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Hypertension;
Hypertensive Encephalopathy;
Intracranial Hemorrhages;
Magnetics;
Magnets;
Male
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2013;54(2):139-141
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Presented here is a 36-year-old male with arterial hypertension who developed brainstem edema and intracranial hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance scan revealed diffuse brainstem hyperintensity in T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery images, with an increase in apparent diffusion coefficient values. After a reduction in blood pressure, rapid resolution of the brainstem edema was observed on follow-up. The patient's condition was thus interpreted as hypertensive brainstem encephalopathy. While many consider this a vasogenic phenomenon, induced by sudden, severe hypertension, the precise mechanism remains unclear. Prompt recognition and aggressive antihypertensive treatment in such patients are essential to prevent permanent or life-threatening neurologic injury.
