Troubles neurologiques

Uncommon MRI and Echocardiographic Findings in a Patient of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Abstract

Ashraf MU, Anwar MR, Amir SH and Ashraf J

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas which is nonirritating and is produced whenever there is incomplete combustion of any fossil fuel. There are diverse clinical effects of CO poisoning and they may be easily confused with other illnesses, such as nonspecific viral illness, benign headache, and various cardiovascular and neurologic conditions. Although initial neurologic manifestations may be subtle, but more profound exposure may produce altered mental status, confusion, syncope, seizure, acute stroke-like syndromes, and coma. Isolated seizures have been reported more often in pediatric patients. The cardiovascular effects of CO poisoning are manifested initially by tachycardia in response to hypoxia but more significant exposures may result in hypotension, arrhythmias, ischemia, infarction and even cardiac arrest. We present here an interesting case of one such patient who presented with features of severe myocardial depression and uncommon MRI findings secondary to carbon monoxide poisoning