title: Neuroimaging features in subacute encephalopathy with seizures in alcoholics (SESA syndrome).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the neuroimaging findings in subacute encephalopathy with seizures in alcoholics (SESA syndrome).
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed all cases reported previously, as well as 4 patients diagnosed in our center. We included a total of 8 patients. All subjects had clinical and EEG findings compatible with SESA syndrome and at least one MRI study that did not show other underlying condition that could be responsible for the clinical presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial MRI studies revealed the following features: cortical-subcortical areas of increased T2/FLAIR signal and restricted diffusion (6 patients), hyperperfusion (3 patients), atrophy (5 patients), chronic microvascular ischemic changes (4 patients). Follow-up MRI was performed in half of the patients, all showing a resolution of the hyperintense lesions, but developing focal atrophic changes in 75%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SESA syndrome should be included among the alcohol-related encephalopathies. Its radiological features include transient cortical-subcortical T2-hyperintense areas with restricted diffusion (overlapping the typical findings in status epilepticus) observed in a patient with atrophy and chronic multifocal vascular lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Cantabria, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain. Electronic address: drake.marta@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drake-Pérez
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Cantabria, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marco de Lucas
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lyo
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Cantabria, Spain; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Cantabria (UNICAN), Santander, Cantabria, Spain.
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fernández-Torre
mesh_terms: D020268:Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D012640:Seizures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome
keywords: Alcohol abuse; Neuroimaging; Nonconvulsive status epilepticus; Periodic lateralized discharges; SESA syndrome