How does diffuse brain swelling appear on imaging?

How does diffuse brain swelling appear on imaging?

• A. Isolated hydrocephalus
• B. Normal gray-white differentiation
• C. Localised lesion with preserved gray-white differentiation
• D. Generalized loss of gray-white differentiation, sulcal effacement, sometimes compressed ventricles, and possible midline shift

Answer: (D)

Diffuse brain swelling shows generalized edema that blurs the boundary between gray and white matter, makes the sulci indistinct (sulcal effacement), and often compresses the ventricles, with the possibility of a midline shift if the swelling is extensive. This pattern reflects overall brain tissue increased water content raising intracranial pressure, so the gray-white distinction fades and the folds of the brain become less visible. The ventricles can appear smaller or pushed to the side as the brain swells. In contrast, isolated hydrocephalus would enlarge the ventricles with preserved sulcal detail, normal gray-white differentiation means no edema, and a localized lesion would produce focal rather than diffuse changes.

Diffuse brain swelling shows generalized edema that blurs the boundary between gray and white matter, makes the sulci indistinct (sulcal effacement), and often compresses the ventricles, with the possibility of a midline shift if the swelling is extensive. This pattern reflects overall brain tissue increased water content raising intracranial pressure, so the gray-white distinction fades and the folds of the brain become less visible. The ventricles can appear smaller or pushed to the side as the brain swells. In contrast, isolated hydrocephalus would enlarge the ventricles with preserved sulcal detail, normal gray-white differentiation means no edema, and a localized lesion would produce focal rather than diffuse changes.