Utility and Significance of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Enhancement in Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a clinicoradiologic syndrome. Literature regarding associated factors and the prognostic significance of contrast enhancement in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is sparse. This study set out to evaluate an association between the presence of enhancement in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and various clinical factors in a large series of patients with this syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From an MR imaging report search that yielded 176 patients with clinically confirmed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome between 1997 and 2014, we identified 135 patients who had received gadolinium-based contrast. The presenting symptoms, etiology, clinical follow-up, and maximum systolic and diastolic blood pressures within 1 day of MR imaging were recorded. MRIs were reviewed for parenchymal hemorrhage, MR imaging severity, and the presence and pattern of contrast enhancement. Statistical analyses evaluated a correlation between any clinical features and the presence or pattern of enhancement. RESULTS: Of 135 included patients (67.4% females; age range, 7-82 years), 59 (43.7%) had contrast enhancement on T1-weighted MR imaging, the most common pattern being leptomeningeal (n = 24, 17.8%) or leptomeningeal plus cortical (n = 21, 15.6%). Clinical outcomes were available in 96 patients. No significant association was found between the presence or pattern of enhancement and any of the variables, including sex, age, symptom, MR imaging severity, blood pressure, or outcome (all P > .05 after Bonferroni correction). CONCLUSIONS: The presence or pattern of enhancement in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is not associated with any of the tested variables. However, an association was found between MR imaging severity and clinical outcome.

Reversible left hemispheric ischemia secondary to carotid compression in Eagle syndrome: surgical and CT angiographic correlation.

Symptoms of ipsilateral carotid artery compression secondary to an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament may be seen in Eagle syndrome. The patient will typically experience cervicofacial pain due to stimulation of the arterial nervous plexus. In addition, symptoms directly attributable to compression of the carotid artery may be seen, including visual symptoms and syncope. We report here the case of a patient who developed symptoms consistent with left hemispheric ischemia within 15 seconds of turning his head to the left. These symptoms were completely reversible on returning the head to the neutral position. No long-term sequelae were detected clinically or radiographically.