Learning objectives
1.
Knowing the clinical andimagingfeatures of principal central neurologic complications duringpregnancyand in pospartumperiod.
2.
Problematic of imaging during pregnancy.
3.
Neurophysiopathology during pregnancy and postpartum.
Background
Any neurological disorder during pregnancy could have serious consequences for both mother and child.
It is important that radiologists be familiar with these entities so that these patients can be diagnosed and therefore treated rapidly and efficiently.
Fig. 1
The importance of early and accurate diagnostic imaging is underscored by the fact that most patients are otherwise young and healthy and prompt institution of appropriate therapy can result in complete recovery. Fig. 3
We focus,
In this presentation,
to some of the more common CNS...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
I.
PROBLEMS OF IMAGING THE PREGNANT PATIENT FOR NONOBSTETRIC CONDITIONS:
Fig. 5
A recurring source of contention between clinicians and radiologists continues to be examination appropriateness when imaging pregnant patients.
With the multitude of references on potential radiation risks to the fetus,
radiologists tend to be cautious and hesitant about exposing the fetus to radiation.
This risk has to be carefully weighed against the benefits of obtaining a critical diagnosis quickly and using a single tailored imaging study.
Modalities that do not use ionizing radiation,...
Conclusion
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Accurate and prompt diagnosis is crucial,
in acute neurologic disorders during pregnancy and postpartumd becausetimely and appropriate therapy can reverse the disease process and significantly reduce the risk of acute complications and long-term sequalae.
When delayed diagnosis of uncommon but serious conditions during pregnancy,
the patient’s condition can progress to ischemia,
massive infarction,
and death.
The radiologist may be the first person to propose the correct diagnosis on the basis of the imaging findings.
Therefore,
it is important that radiologists working in...
References
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Imaging in Pregnant Patients: Examination Appropriateness1 .
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Imaging the Pregnant Patient for Nonobstetric Conditions: Algorithms and Radiation Dose Considerations.
SJ Patel et al.
RadioGraphics 2007; 27:1705–1722
Mantello MT,
Schwartz RB,
Jones KM,
Ahn SS,
Tice HM.
Imaging of neurologic complications associated with pregnancy. AJR Am J Roentgenol.
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Molitch ME,
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Lymphocytic hypophysitis. Horm Res.
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