High-Altitude Cerebral Edema Evaluated with MRI: A Case Report

Abstract

High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a rare life-threatening condition observed in individuals who climb high altitudes. This report describes the case of a 38-year-old man who recently climbed a 5000-m-high mountain, showing the following radiologic findings at 3 different anatomical locations: 1) increased T2 signal intensity (SI) without restricted diffusion, with full recovery in the posterior limb of the left internal capsule; 2) increased T2 SI with restricted diffusion, with full recovery in the splenium of the corpus callosum; and 3) increased T2 SI with restricted diffusion and microbleeds, resulting in bilateral encephalomalacia in the globus pallidus. Herein, we report the concurrent typical and atypical radiologic findings of this rare condition caused by vasogenic and cytotoxic edema.

Acute High-Altitude Cerebral Edema Presenting as Extensive Microbleeds along the Corpus Callosum without T2 Hyperintensity: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…In this case, focal cytotoxic edema was revealed at bilateral globus pallidus on DWI with correlated T2 signal change and microbleeds. These findings were consistent with HACE ( 6 ). Another notable finding was the obvious fine black pepper-like microbleeds along both corpus callosum without corresponding hyperintensity on FLAIR and T2 weighted images.…”

A Case of High Altitude Cerebral Edema With a Prolonged Motivational Deficit

“…2 HACE presents with the most severe manifestations, including disturbance of consciousness and ataxia. 3 Although many cases of nonfatal HACE have been reported, [4][5][6][7][8] the neuropsychiatric course and prognosis are still unclear. One report 9 described 2 cases with subcortical dementia after HACE and drew attention to persistent neuropsychiatric dysfunction.…”