What are the causes of cerebral edema?

Cancer, stroke, trauma cranial… Several causes can cause cerebral edema. From symptoms, we observe in particular headaches (headaches) and visual disturbances. It can be localized or diffuse. CT or MRI will be used to diagnose brain edema. What are the consequences cerebral edema? Can we cure cerebral edema? What are the treatment to cure it?

Definition: what is cerebral edema?

Cerebral edema is a abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain, increasing the volume of brain mass and intracranial pressure. Cerebral edema can be localized or diffuse. Depending on the mechanisms and the nature of the fluid implicated, several types of cerebral edema should be distinguished: cytotoxic or cellular cerebral edema, vasogenic cerebral edema, and osmotic cerebral edema.

What are the symptoms of cerebral edema?

Symptoms of cerebral edema are usually:

• of the headache important,
• of the nausea or some vomiting,
• of the visual disturbances
• of the dizziness
• of the memory loss
• of the coordination disorders

We are talking about “intracranial hypertension syndrome”.

What are the causes of cerebral edema?

The causes of cerebral edema are numerous: head trauma important, hypertension due to obstruction of a vein by a blood clot called thrombophlebitis, cancer, stroke, diabetic ketoacidosis….

What are the types of cerebral edema?

► Cytotoxic or cellular cerebral edema corresponds to a retention of water and sodium inside the cells, due to an anomaly in the cellular metabolism. This type of edema is most often due to cerebral ischemia (cerebrovascular accident following a blockage of an artery), cardiac arrest, hypothermiahead trauma, or Reye’s syndrome.

► In the case of vasogenic cerebral edema, the liquid seeps around the cells. It usually coexists with cytotoxic or cellular cerebral edema. This type of edema is usually the result of a traumaof a hypertensionor the presence of a tumor. Vasogenic cerebral edema is also found in the most severe forms of acute mountain sickness.

“The prognosis depends on the cause of the cerebral edema”

► osmotic cerebral edema usually results from a poisoning water or hydroelectrolyte disorders such as hyponatremia. Water intoxication occurs in cases of overhydration, when the body absorbs more water than necessary, intensive practice of endurance sports, and certain mental disorders. Hyponatremia corresponds to a lower than normal concentration of sodium in the plasma, also leading to a hyperhydration.

What are the consequences of cerebral edema?

Due to the fact that the structures of the brain are “locked” in the cranial cavity, bone therefore not extensible, if the increase in fluid volume is not compensated by the decrease in another constituent of the brain. “This results in a compression of these structures which can be brought to hurt brain cells and which can move through the intracranial orifices. This displacement can lead in particular to an engagement of a part of the temporal lobe coming to compress the brainstem or cause acute hydrocephalus by preventing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid which can lead to the rapid death of the patient”, explains Dr. Antoine Moulonguet, neurologist. “In the long term, the prognosis depends on the cause of the cerebral edema and the possibilities of treating it for prevent recurrences, explains the specialist.

“A suspicion of intracranial hypertension is a absolute urgency. Faced with a headache that is sudden, unusual or progressively worsening, the patient should be taken to the emergency room of the nearest hospital to carry out a CT scan or an MRI who will be able to show the cerebral edema and especially to determine the cause”, warns the neurologist.

To decrease cerebral edema, its cause must be treated. Molecules like mannitol or corticosteroids (solumedrol) can help to decrease the hyperpressure which reigns in the brain and to pass the acute stage.

Thanks to Dr Antoine Moulonguet, neurologist,