Diffusion MR imaging of hypoglycemic encephalopathy.
OBJECTIVE
MR imaging features of HE have not been fully established. The purpose of this study was to determine the topographic distribution and DWI findings of HE.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated HE MR imaging (n = 11). The topographic distribution of the lesions was evaluated on routine MR imaging, and DWI SI and ADC values were assessed. The ADC value of involved lesions was compared with the noninvolved subcortical WM area by use of the paired t test.


RESULTS
MR images demonstrated bilateral diffusion-restrictive lesions in the posterior limb of the IC (n = 6), cerebral cortex (n = 8), CR (n = 7), CS (n = 9), hippocampus (n = 4), and BG (n = 1). The mean ADC value of lesions was 448.82 +/- 92.34 x 10(-6) mm(2)/s compared with the mean ADC value of noninvolved lesions (837.72 +/- 62.14 x 10(-6) mm(2)/s); this difference was statistically significant (P < .000). The lesions showed complete resolution on follow-up DWI for 6 patients. Three patients with cortical involvement of > or = 2 lobes showed partial recovery or death, but most of the other patients with WM involvement or cortical involvement in only 1 lobe experienced complete recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
The topographic localization of the lesions was the posterior limb of the IC, cerebral cortex, CR, CS, hippocampus, and BG. Most HE lesions probably correspond to areas of reversible cytotoxic edema as seen on DWI, which can predict the prognosis of HE according to the degree of lesion extent.
Kang
E G
EG
Department of Radiology, Wonkwang University Hospital, Chunbuk, Republic of Korea.
Jeon
S J
SJ
Choi
S S
SS
Song
C J
CJ
Yu
I K
IK
D000368:Aged; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001928:Brain Diseases, Metabolic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D020772:Internal Capsule / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose