[Changes in MR images in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia].
BACKGROUND
Pre-eclampsia affects 2% of pregnancies. This multisystem disorder is a major cause of maternal, foetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Neurological manifestations of eclampsia are headache, nausea, vomiting, cortical blindness and recurrent seizures.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the neurological symptoms correlate with MR imaging findings.


RESULTS
In a patient with eclamptic seizure and another one with blindness due to pre-eclampsia, the white matter hyperintensities on T (2)-weighted MR and FLAIRsequence images could be demonstrated in the occipital region and in the basal ganglia. Within 3-5 days all neurological symptoms and radiological abnormalities had resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
These cerebral lesions could be classified as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) or as reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PLES). Thus, MRI supports differential diagnosis regarding non pregnancy-related cerebral disease and can be helpful for therapy planning in cases of pre-eclampsia.
Hellmeyer
L
L
Kinik für Geburtshilfe und Perinatalmedizin, Philipps-Universität Marburg. hellmeye@med.uni-marburg.de
Iwinska-Zelder
J
J
Gerken
L
L
Kühnert
M
M
Schmidt
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D002585:Cesarean Section; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous