CO poisoning

This is a diffusion-weighted image (DWI).  Notice the demonstration of the globus pallidus diffusion restriction, but also DWI changes due to toxic insult...the splenium of the corpus callosum is ravaged, as is the subcortical white matter.  The deep gray matter and the splenium of the corpus callosum are highly sensitive to hypoxic/anoxic insult (as are the cortex and cerebellum).

Correlate the MRI to the classic pathologic findings in the first few hours after carbon monoxide poisoning: the brain is swollen, congested and cherry-red. After 24-48 hours of survival, scattered petechial hemorrhages may be seen in white matter with larger hemorrhages in the pallidum (arrows).