Pediatric neurology
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Pediatric neurology · Sep 2010
Restricted diffusion in the corpus callosum in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
Restricted diffusion within the splenium of the corpus callosum was described in various conditions, but is not a prominent finding in magnetic resonance imaging after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Perinatal characteristics were reviewed in 42 term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with selective head cooling. Neonatal images of 34 infants were reviewed. ⋯ The positive predictive value of changes in the splenium of the corpus callosum regarding poor outcomes or death was 90%. Changes in the splenium of the corpus callosum were also associated with lower birth weights, larger base deficits in cord arterial gas, and more severe encephalopathy during enrollment in selective head cooling. Restricted diffusion within the splenium of the corpus callosum of term infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is often associated with extensive brain injury, and in these circumstances appears to be an early neuroradiologic marker of adverse neurologic outcomes.
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Pediatric neurology · Sep 2010
Review Case ReportsReversible posterior leukoencephalopathy induced by cancer chemotherapy.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy, defined by both clinical and neuroimaging findings, can affect children receiving chemotherapy. The syndrome is characterized by hypertension, alterations in mental status, seizures, hallucinations, and acute visual changes and is associated with abnormalities seen in magnetic resonance imaging of symmetric white matter lesions, especially in the parietal and occipital lobes. ⋯ Presented here are four cases of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy induced by chemotherapy, with a brief review of the literature and consideration of possible mechanisms. A diagnosis of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy should be considered when patients receiving cancer chemotherapy suddenly develop hypertension followed by neurologic complications, especially if presenting with seizures.