Computed Tomography of the Brain as an Indication of Long-term Outcome after Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 5(2); 1987 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1987;5(2): 236-242.

급성 일산화탄소중독후의 장기 경과와 뇌전산화단층촬영소견과의 비교

한양대학교 신경과.

Computed Tomography of the Brain as an Indication of Long-term Outcome after Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Kyung Cheon Chung, M.D.

Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Han Yang University

Abstract

The author analysed CT findings and long-term outcomes of 67 patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Low density lesions were demonstrated in 44 patients (65.7%). Hemorrhage and calcification also showed with low density lesions in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. The most common findings, seen in 22 patients, was bilaterally symmetrical round low density lesion in the globus pallidus and adjacent area of internal capsule with variable sizes. In 18 patients there were diffuse symmetrical low density lesion in the cerebral white matter, especially around the centrum semiovale, with slight or marked extension. Of 44 patients with CT abnormalities seven patients recovered without disability, fifteen recovered with some disability, eighteen remained in the vegetative state, and four died. The outcome of acute carbon monoxide poisoning depended on the severity of the cerebral white matter change in CT of brain. The size of the bilateral globus pallidus lesion was not heopful to determine the longterm outcome of acute carbon monoxide poisoning.