Reversibility of extensive hemispheric cytotoxic cerebral edema following subarachnoid hemorrhage.
BACKGROUND
Cerebral edema, as assessed by computer-assisted tomography, has been proposed as a prognosis factor of poor outcome following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, this radiological finding might wrongly influence the decision to maintain or withdraw treatment in critically ill patients.


METHODS
We present the case of a 63-year-old female presenting with poor clinical grade after an aneurysmal rupture that developed extensive right hemispheric cytotoxic edema. With appropriate treatment, the brain edema progressively resolved and the clinical state improved.


CONCLUSIONS
We discuss the importance of recognizing the possible reversibility of such extensive hemispheric edema and its relevance to patient management.
McLaughlin
Nancy
N
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal - Hôpital Notre-Dame, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Bojanowski
Michel W
MW
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed