Postpartum neurologic complications are one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Our goal is to increase the awareness of both common and less commonly presenting neurologic disorders in the postpartum patient through a pictorial analysis with discussion of the clinical and imaging characteristics of each entity.
Patients who presented to the Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University between 1999 and 2005 with proven postpartum neurologic disorders were chosen. These patients' pertinent CT and MR examinations were evaluated by the neuroradiologists at our institution.
Brief clinical presentation of the various entities including stroke, incomplete stroke, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, dural venous thrombosis, postpartum cerebral angiopathy, pituitary apoplexy, and lymphoctyic adenohypophysitis was provided. Classic radiographic appearance of each entity was then discussed using a pictorial respresentation of these cases.
Given the overlap in presentation between the various entities and that no clear distinguishing clinical criteria exist for diagnosis, imaging is essential in prompt diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, radiologists must have an understanding of both the clinical and radiologic features of these entities in order to provide appropriate postpartum care.
Dulai, H,
Zak, I,
Radiologic Evaluation of Postpartum Neurologic Disorders. Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4414842.html