Two Cases of Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy

ABSTRACT

Hypertensive encephalopathy is a medical disorder, which occurs with sudden increase of blood pressure (BP). The MRI findings of hypertensive encephalopathy are diffuse hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, predominantly within the cortex and subcortical white matter of the parieto-occipital lobe. The brainstem is rarely involved. Diffusion-weighted images do not show any abnormalities. We report two patients with hypertensive encephalopathy whose MRI showed exclusive brainstem involvement. They improved rapidly after BP control.