Hypertensive encephalopathy: Complication in children treated for myeloproliferative disorders - Report of three cases

We routinely perform echo-planar diffusion-weighted sequences in all brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies. When three children undergoing che motherapy for acute leukemia presented with seizures, conventional MR image s demonstrated what appeared to be acute, posterior, parasagittal infarcts. However,: diffusion-weighted images were normal. These MR imaging findings were consistent with those of hypertensive encephalopathy. Early recogniti on and treatment of minimal hypertension in these patients allows reversal of encephalopathy.