Two Cases of Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 21(5); 2003 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2003;21(5): 535-538.

고혈압성 뇌간뇌병증 2예

강병욱 , 배영조 전우현 박성파 서정규

경북대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Two Cases of Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy

Byung-Wook Kang

Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University

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.Key Words: Hypertensive encephalopathy, Brainstem, Diffusion-weighted image"