Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Fig 1.
Case 1. Axial nonenhanced CT images through the basal cisterns.
A, Image obtained before contrast enhancement reveals abnormally increased attenuation within the basal cisterns (arrows).
B, The basal cisterns (arrowheads) are enhancing after the intravenous administration of contrast material.
- Fig 2.
Case 6. Axial nonenhanced CT images through the basal cisterns.
A, Image reveals effacement of and increased attenuation within the basal cisterns (arrowheads).
B, The findings were not present on the prior image obtained approximately 3 days earlier.
Tables
Summary of clinical and imaging findings
Case Patient Age/Sex Signs of Edema* Attenuation Value (HU)† Proof‡ Diagnosis at Death or Discharge§ 1 5 y/M C, E NA Autopsy result Diffuse cerebral edema secondary to hyponatremia 2 37 y/F C, E, GW NA Autopsy result Sudden cardiac death, anoxic injury 3 22 y/M C, E NA Negative LP result Pseudo-tumor cerebri 4 22 y/F C, E NA Autopsy result DKA with hypoxic and metabolic encephalopathy 5 8 mo/F E, GW 29 Negative LP result Diffuse cerebral edema, SIDS 6 5 y/M C, E, GW 33 Negative LP result Cardiopulmonary failure secondary to unknown metabolic disorder (possibly Leigh disease) 7 6 y/M C, E, GW 29 Negative LP result Septic Shock * C indicates compression and/or mass effect on the fourth ventricle; E, effacement of the basal cisterns and cortical sulci; GW, decreased gray matter–white matter differentiation.
† Mean attenuation levels were obtained with a region of interest drawn in the basal cisterns. NA indicates not available.
‡ LP indicates lumbar puncture.
§ DKA indicates diabetic ketoacidosis; SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome.
